LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

University  of  California. 


GIFT    OF 


Class 


\  .   -LS 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell 


A    POEM 


BY 


JAMES  WYNKOOP 


BROADWAY    PUBLISHING    CO. 

835  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK 


Copyright.  1908. 

BY 

JAMES  WYNKOOP. 


All  rights  reserved. 


CONTENTS 

Page. 
Canto  the  First.         .....•.! 

Canto  the  Second.         .......  19 

Canto  the  Third 41 

Canto  the  Fourth 48 

Canto  the  Fifth 65 

Canto  the  Sixth. .  82 

Canto  the  Seventh.            ......  105 

Canto  the  Eighth .     .  129 

Canto  the  Ninth 148 

Canto  the  Tenth. 173 

Canto  the  Eleventh. 218 

Canto  the  Twelfth 239 


1  flJ^OA. 


AUTHOR'S  NOTE. 

Like  the  epic  poets  I  have  mingled  through- 
out, the  probable  and  improbable,  in  art. 
Homer  in  his  Iliad  mixes  mortals  and  immortals, 
that  is,  men  and  women,  with  gods  and  god- 
desses ;  the  first  being  the  probable  and  the  last 
the  improbable.  When  Neptune  rides  through 
the  sea  to  the  shore  for  the  purpose  of  inspiring 
the  troops  by  means  of  a  speech,  and  when  Venus 
with  wounded  hand  from  the  battlefield  mounts 
weeping  to  heaven,  we  know  that,  while  such 
things  are  improbable,  they  are  necessary  to  carry 
on  the  main  design  of  Homer.  Virgil  is  a  re- 
flection of  the  Greek.  The  Catholic  epics,  Dante 
and  Tasso,  and  the  Protestant,  Milton,  have  each 
used  different  forms  of  the  improbable,  all  of 
which  are  unlike  those  of  the  Iliad.  Tasso  has 
his  spells  and  enchantments,  Dante  his  shades  and 
angels,  Milton  his  personal  god  and  devil,  and 
each  a  mixture  of  all.  But  modern  Christianity 
requires  another  form  of  expression  in  heroic 
poetry  aside  from  any  of  these. 

As  is  seen  in  The  Rebellion,  both  Heaven  and 
hell  are  considered  as  present  conditions  of 
mind,  divided  into  the  Spiritual  and  carnal,  and 
fought  accordingly.  That  much  is  strictly  meta- 
physical, thoughts  taking  human  shape  and  going 
about  as  men ;  and  this,  according  to  art,  is  the 
improbable.       But     there     is     something     else. 


11  INTRODUCTION 

Throughout  the  poem  is  seen  portrayed  immor- 
taHty  of  life  in  the  flesh  (the  ideal  state),  and 
also  in  the  last  canto,  how  man,  no  matter  how 
wicked  he  may  be,  is  saved  into  the  Spiritual 
Mind  by  overcoming  his  faults.  Lx)ve  neither 
damns  nor  destroys. 

Of  course  bad  thoughts  cannot  be  saved,  hence 
the  destruction  of  the  carnal  mind,  bad  thoughts. 
But  with  Villard,  Boncella  and  the  conquered 
hero  Mideon  we  deal  in  the  probable.  These  three, 
that  I  be  enabled  to  carry  on  the  second  design, 
immortality  in  the  flesh,  are  human  beings  (not 
thoughts),  as  are  also  Clement  and  Cassia.  That 
the  poem  be  not  confused,  the  smallest  possible 
number  of  probable  characters  has  been  used; 
and  aside  from  these  five,  I  believe  that  the  prob- 
able has  been  brought  into  action  but  once 
throughout  the  entire  poem,  and  that  is  in  the 
tenth  canto,  when  Lytheus  orders  the  people  of 
the  City  Lust  to  fly  for  their  lives  beyond  the 
rampart. 

That  Love  neither  damns  nor  destroys  is  por- 
trayed in  still  another  way  in  the  metaphysical 
battles.  It  will  be  seen  that  not  a  single  chief 
of  the  carnal  mind  dies  at  Heaven's  hands. 
Every  one  of  them  meets  death  from  wounds  in- 
flicted by  hell  itself.  However,  thousands  of 
its  troops  are  killed  by  Heaven  in  battle ;  but 
that  is  necessary  to  carry  on  the  main  design. 

The  chiefs  alone  are  representative  of  the  va- 
rious states  in  thought. 


THE  REBELLION  OF  HELL 


CANTO  THE  FIRST. 

Goddess  of  Wisdom,  whisper  to  my  soul 

Thy  strains  heroic  as  the  visions  roll : 

Hell   spurred   by   vengeance   from   small   causes 

given 
To  war  against  the  Sovereign  State  of  Heaven, 
And  of  the  spiritual  Powers'  defense  renowned, 
Enclosed  by  modern  thought,  O  Muse!  resound. 

Let  thou  the  scene  be  laid  on  planet  mind, 
The  sphere  of  fancy  for  the  time  designed, 
Where  Fable  may  have  ample  room  to  soar, 
To  sing  anew  of  man's  most  ancient  war: 
The  Good  against  the  bad.    And  now,,  0-Muse! 
This  humble  song  with  liberal  truth  dififuse. 

Upon  the  planet  of  the  mind  we  stand, 
The  Spiritual  and  carnal  at  each  hand ; 
This  way,  an  Empire*  built  of  many  a  state, 
And  that,  a  group  of  single  nations  great. 

Tis  twilight  hour.     The  darkening  shades  in- 
crease. 


*  For  poetic  effect  only  are  ancient  customs 
used  throughout  this  poem.  "The  Empire"  in 
every  sense  but  name  is  an  ideal  republic 


2  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Within  the  states,  now  wrapped  in  martial  peace, 
From  war  removed,  employed  in  realms  of  rest, 
Are  seen  the  Good  and  carnal  at  their  best. 

This   way,   the   heavenly   Mind,   by   walls  en- 
closed, 
On  every  side  to  states  in  hell  exposed, 
Where  rich  simplicity  shows  full  her  face, 
Where  close  to  Nature  dwell  the  sovereign  race ; 
That    peaceful    thought    observed    where'er    ye 

roam, 
W^ho  live  for  Love,  for  country  and  for  home, 
At  one  with  all,  no  matter  what  the  creed, 
Accepting  not  religion,  but  the  deed, 
Not  party  but  the  Truth  wherever  found, 
Not  social  glare  but  kindly  wisdom  sound. 
That  way,  the  carnal  mind,  the  rich  in  show, 
In  mammon,  man's  religions,  pride  and  woe, 
And  all  corruptions  rising  out  of  these, 
From  hate  to  murder,  falsehood  to  disease; 
With  each  her  states  awaiting  but  the  word 
To  send  it  rampant  into  war  absurd ; 
With  each  enclosed  by  walls  like  Spirit  Mind, 
But  unlike  her's  to  sin's  defense  assigned. 

'Tis  even's  hour.    W^e  travel  through  the  night, 
Beyond  the  heavenly  State,  with  stars  to  light. 
All  quiet  seems  as  if  'twere  ever  so, 
This  carnal  plane  of  almost  ceaseless  woe. 

A  desert  separating  Heaven  from  hell 
We  leave  behind,  in  beauteous  realms  to  dwell. 
Some  distance  from  the  wastes,  in  forests  cool, 
A  college  stands,  'tis  sage  Rodolphus'  school. 
(Rodolphus  who  has  long  the  carnal  youth 
Instructed  in  a  creed  opposed  to  Truth; 
Rodolphus,  foremost  priest  to  god  of  fear, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  3 

Renowned  for  learning,  famous  far  and  near; 
The  greatest  scholar  of  his  age  and  kind, 
And  most  insatiate  foe  to  Spirit  Mind). 
Upon  the  border  of  three  nether  lands — 
Hate, Vengeance  and  Excess — the  college  stands; 
Of  various  buildings,  built  of  marble  white, 
Stone  and  rich  metal  reared  to  lofty  height; 
Round  which  has  nature  taken  liberal  pains, 
In  beauty  clothed  the  groves  and  rolling  plains. 
The  most  magnificent  of  tropic  trees. 
Foliage  and  flowers  the  carnal  student  sees ; 
While  all  the  arts  and  sciences  combined 
(As  taught  in  hell)  are  here  to  school  his  mind. 

Now,  in  the  sanctum  of  this  learned  seat, 
Rodolphus  walks  the  floor  in  passion's  heat. 
Tall,  slim,  of  peaked  face,  of  hoary  beard. 
Of  pointed  nose,  of  eyes  both  small  and  bleared, 
Advanced  in  years,  determined  in  his  mien, 
The  foremost  sage  of  carnal  thus  is  seen. 
Beside  an  open  window  Villard  stands, — 
Son  of  a  chief  possessed  of  great  commands, — 
Of  medium  height,  with  form  and  mien  of  grace, 
Young,  handsome,  dark  of  hair  and  fair  of  face; 
As  forth  and  back  before  him  walks  the  sage, 
And  thus  delivers  loud  his  bosom's  rage: 

"Ungrateful   youth!    for   whom   all   has   been 
done, 
Pray  why  your  duty  thus  ignobly  shun  ? 
Turn  traitor  to  my  school,  disgrace  your  sire, 
Yourself,  your  master,  and  call  forth  his  ire? 
But,  nonsense!  why  these  questions  ask  of  you; 
A  blind  man  could  your  wicked  plan  see  through ! 
Love  for  that  Cassia,  princess  of  the  INIind, 
The  Spirit  State,  has  turned  you  to  her  kind. 


4  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

That  you  have  sunk  into  blasphemous  fire, 
Have  been  misled  to  join  the  Love  Empire, 
Have  severed  your  connection  with  my  school, 
Disgraced  your  father,  crowned  yourself  a  fool, 
Gone  to  damnation  for  an  artful  maid, 
And  at  my  door  the  curse  of  carnal  laid, 
Is  plainly  seen.     We  need  no  more  converse, 
Love's  vile  blasphemy  or  your  deed  rehearse!" 

To  which  the  youth:   "O  master,  you  mistake  I 
For  Love  I  did  not  fear's  domain  forsake. 
Pray,  how  could  carnal's  curse  upon  you  fall, 
E'en  though  I  did  upon  the  princess  call? 
I  Cassia  met  by  chance,  and  since  have  paid 
But  slight  attention  to  the  Spirit  maid. 

The  sage  rejoined:    "No?     Comprehend  you 
not. 
Else    you     would     shudder    at    your     father's 

thought ; 
That  of  the  monarch  of  Illusion  Land, 
To  god  of  fear  the  right  and  ablest  hand, 
The  mighty  Scowlard,  ruler  of  this  plane 
For  him  above,  the  lord  of  wrath  and  pain. 
Know  then  his  order  when  you  entered  here : 
'School  Villard  well,  keep  him  belov'd  of  fear; 
And,  sir,'  he  whispered  in  a  wrathful  breath,  ^ 
'Should    he    with    Love    commingle    give    him 

death!' 
(The  face  of  Villard  turned  an  ashen  hue. 
From  fright  he  trembled,  and  his  dagger  drew) 
Not  for  an  instant  shall  you  fear  deny ; 
The  wage  is  death ;  you  now  are  doomed  to  die !" 

This  said,  he  from  his  girdle  snatched  a  blade, 
And  through  the  darkness  for  his  pupil  made. 
A  quick  and  vicious  struggle  then  ensues, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  5 

In  which  the  flagrant  two  their  daggers  use, 
In  which  strong  youth  soon  conquers  faiHng  age, 
In  which  uninjured  is  disarmed  the  sage, — 
Who  from  exhaustion  sinks  upon  the  floor; 
And  Villard  hastens  from  the  college  door. 

Secure  without  he  leaps  upon  a  horse. 
And  straight  for  Spirit  Mind  directs  his  course. 
Down  through  the  forests,  o'er  the  fertile  plain, 
Across  the  desert,  suffering  violent  pain 
(Rodolphus'  blade  had  thrice  inflicted  wounds), 
Onward  he  travels  t'ward  the  Spirit  bounds; 
Passes  close  by  the  Castle  Excess,  where 
Re-echo  festive  voices  on  the  air ; 
Arrives  before  the  Gate  (the  pass  is  given) 
And  rides  adown  the  boulevard  of  Heaven. 
The  Realm  of  Beauty,  simple  and  refined, 
(No   glittering  pride),   by   Love   all   things  de- 
signed. 
For    peace    and   comfort; — Nature's    sovereign 

home, 
Where  perfect  seen  is  (jod's  unscribbled  poem; 
Where  man  is  ere  by  selfish  prophet  led, 
Where  he  returns  when  all  is  done  and  said ; 
The  first,  the  last,  above  the  scribbling  liar, 
Where  Love  makes  good,  not  threats  of  endless 
fire. 

Upon  the  green,  with  whispering  trees  around 
(A  valley  by  commanding  mountains  bound) 
Is  seen  a  youthful  group  who  dance  and  sing, 
While  far  away  the  rippling  echoes  ring. 
Further  on  various  other  groups  are  seen. 
Some  play  at  games  upon  the  rolling  green. 
Some  sit  in  narrative  beneath  the  trees, 
Some  grouped  in  pairs  partake  of  silent  ease, 


6  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Some  to  the  lyre's  enchantment  Hsten  still, 
Some  steal  away  to  climb  the  neighboring  hill, 
Some  sail  abreast  the  moon-bathed  tranquil  lake, 
Some  mounted  of  the  beauteous  night  partake, 
Some  charioteer  adown  the  boulevard. 
And  some  observe  the  racing  pastime  hard ; 
And  some  with  sword  or  javelin,  spear  or  dart, 
In  tournament  enjoy  the  martial  art ; 
Others  the  drama  choose  for  pleasure's  scene, 
In  open  acted  on  the  distant  green ; 
In  brief,  all  do  what  fancy  bids  they  might, — 
'Tis  Heaven  at  play,  and  pleasure  rules  the  night. 
Peace  reigns  throughout,  and  peace  to  celebrate 
Is  this  great  gathering  in  the  Spirit  State. 
All  day  her  people  had  themselves  enjoyed, 
Thus  with  the  natural  pleasures  full  employed. 

A  group  of  girls  had  wandered  near  the  wall, 
Had  heard  the  sentry  to  Sir  Villard  call, 
Had  seen  him  pass  the  Gate  and  tottering  ride, 
Had  seen  him  faint  and  tumble  at  their  side. 

One  of  them,  crowned  by  Nature  to  command. 
With  rounded  arm  outstretched  and  little  hand, 
Blue-eyed,  of  noble  features,  rosy  fair, 
Not  very  tall,  with  dark  brown  wealth  of  hair. 
Of  figure  solid,  graceful  and  refined. 
Forth  hastens  Cassia,  princess  of  the  Mind. 

Over  the  wounded  scholar,  ghastly  white, 
She  bends  amidst  the  moon's  caressing  light. 
And  speaks,  in  accents  most  sincerely  sweet: 
*'Love  has  arranged  that  we  this  even  meet. 
Sir  Villard,  know  to  God  thou  art  akin, 
The  God  of  Love,  who  knows  no  pain  or  sin. 
The  God  of  Nature,  perfect  in  her  plan. 
The  God  of  Life;  the  God  of  sovereign  man, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  7 

Who  perfect  health  must  first  possess  to  reign, 
Else  He  had  made  him  monarch  of  a.11  pain. 
But  no!     He  gives  all  life,  nor  takes  away; 
'Tis  carnal  that  would  have  His  works  decay; 
'Tis  carnal  mind  attacks  him  everywhere, 
Makes  seeming  bad  in  man  and  Nature  fair. 
But  carnal  must  surrender  up  its  shade 
When  bold  upon  it  Spirit's  hand  is  laid. 
Foul   spectre,   Heaven   commands   thee   back  to 

hell ; 
Vanish,  vile  thought!   Sir  Villard.  thou  art  well." 

Without  a  single  pain,  without  a  wound. 
He  stands,  as  while  the  girls  him  close  around, 
And  thus  addresses  Cassia :   ''Thanks  to  thee, 
From  death  in  hell  thou  hast  delivered  me; 
I  can  no  more  return,  for  there  the  knife, 
In  priestly  hands,  awaits  my  guiltless  life. 
Shouldst  thou  permit.  I  here  would  glad  remain. 
To  serve  thy  State  at  home  or  on  the  plain." 

And  Cassia  made  reply:   ''My  State  is  free. 
To  willing  hearts ;  its  keys  are  given  thee. 
Come,  join  our  group,  our  festive  spirit  don ; 
A  quiet  feast  awaits  us  on  the  lawn 
(Where  it  we  had  prepared  when  you  appeared) 
Beside  the  brook,  amidst  the  forest  cleared ; 
As  while  the  tranquil  moon  extends  her  care, 
And  distant  music  lingers  on  the  air. 
The  mellow  fruits  of  Nature  and  her  bread, 
Fresh  from  the  fields,  and  laurel  for  each  head ; 
Her  sweet  refreshment  bubbling  from  the  spring, 
Her  blessed  scenes,  as  nightins  softly  sing; 
Her  peaceful  canopy  of  stars  above, 
Her  myriad  voices  whispering  only  Love." 


8  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

She  ceased;  and  straight  the  youthful  party- 
goes, 

To  long  with  Nature  feast  in  sweet  repose. 

******* 

Meantime,  within  the  bordering  carnal  land, 
At  Castle  Excess,  looms  a  function  grand. 
Another  peace  assembly.     Local  hell. 
That  is,  the  folk  who  near  the  borders  dwell, 
Are  now  at  Excess  wrapped  in  full  delight, 
Fulfilling  Festus'  call:   /  feast  to-night; 
Which  meant  that  all  were  welcome,  rich  and 

poor. 
And  none  could  be  displeased  who  passed  his 

door. 
Festus,  the  carnal  lord  of  mirth  and  feast, 
Who  never  from  his  door  turned  man  or  beast. 
In  from  the  desert,  and  surrounded  well 
By  groves,  abides  this  jovial  prince  of  hell; 
Within  a  marble  house  sublimely  made, 
Rising  above  the  lofty  realms  of  shade; 
Entwined  by  vines,  with  flowers  and  brooklets 

clear, 
Commanding  all  the  neighboring  country  near; 
As  fond  enchantment  full  pervades  the  place, 
And  entering  hearts  enfolds  in  mirth's  embrace. 
Within  the  castle  grouped  around  the  boards, 
The  guests  partake  of  all  the  feast  affords. 
All  banquet  blessings  here  are  richly  seen: 
Old  wines,  the  luscious  fruits  and  produce  green ; 
Meats   roasted,    fried   and   boiled   are   steaming 

laid, 
And  flowers  of  every  kind  in  taste  arrayed. 
All  things  that  please  the  mouth  and  eye  are 

found, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  9 

For  by  resplendent  wealth  is  Festus  bound. 

The  walls  inlaid  with  glittering  stone,  reflects 
The  torches'  ray  on  rosy-tinted  necks; 
And  arms,  with  all  their  crimson  hue  and  white, 
Enchant  the  more  in  this  reflected  light. 
Music  supplies  the  feast  with  winning  strains, 
That  aid  the  nymphs  to  captivate  the  swains; 
These,  with  full  tones  of  laughter,  fill  the  hall. 
Float  past  the  windows  and  re-echoing  fall. 
Soft  scented  breezes  fresh  from  mountain  snows 
Caress  the  feasters,  cool  the  lovers'  throes, 
The    sweethearts    bathe,    refresh    their    bosoms 

white. 
Sweep  through  the  house  and  vanish  in  the  night. 

Throughout    the    palace    cluster    groups    of 
maids, 
Superbly  robed  in  color's  various  shades ; 
With  eyes  enticing,  through  deception  coy. 
With  practiced  modesty  their  charms  employ. 

Around  the  board,  within  their  lovers'  arms, 
Some  feast,  as  wine  improves  the  natural  charms. 
Cups  pass  around ;  they  pledge ;  the  lovers'  lips 
The  same  spots  touch  and  vow  true  love  in  sips. 
A  nymph  who  thinks  her  flame  is  much  too  old. 
With  amorous  eyes  reviews  a  younger  bold ; 
And  envious  she,  the  youthful  handsome's  fair, 
Who  with  a  cutting  glance  returns  the  stare. 
One  jealous  eye  attacks  a  neighboring  lord, 
As  he  toward  his  dame  looks  o'er  the  board. 
The  man  observed  thus,  with  a  furious  eye. 
Shoots  forth  a  glance  that  does  the  spouse  defy. 

Some  choose,  beyond  the  castle's  sumptuous 
door, 
In  darkness  deep,  to  practice  cupid's  lore. 


10  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

An  arbor,  hid  by  spreading  ivy  vines, 
Shields  two,  to  hide  the  damsel's  blushing  lines. 
A  statue  tall  conceals  two  happy  heads. 
The  shrubs  make  many  snug  immantled  beds. 
And  midst  the  confines  of  a  shadow  great, 
A  warrior  best  prefers  to  woo  his  mate; 
While  some  the  groves,  beneath  the  leafy  green, 
Their  places  choose  for  love's  sequestered  scene. 

Upon  the  housetop  scores  of  children  play; 
And  dreamy  age  recalls  another  day, 
Comments  upon  the  times  as  being  cold, 
And  hands  around  the  latest  gossip  told. 

Festus  himself  in  every  realm  is  found. 
In  upper  places,  down  upon  the  ground. 
Amidst    the    shadows,   where    the    moonbeams 

shine, 
And  in  the  banquet  hall  of  mirthful  wine. 
A  kiss  he  here  bestows  upon  a  fair, 
While  there  a  word  rejoins  a  stubborn  pair; 
And  when  a  youth  through  meekness  slight  a 

miss, 
A  glance  inspires  him  straightway  her  to  kiss. 
Man,  woman,  child  and  beast  of  every  land, 
All  come,  all  feast,  all  play  at  his  command. 
The  jovial  host  of  Excess,  rather  tall, 
Of  portly  build,  in  robes  that  loosely  fall; 
With  hair  of  gray  as  like  his  pointed  beard. 
Of  crimson  face  and  arms  ;  of  all  endeared  ; 
With  honest  eyes  that  speak  a  kindly  truth. 
With  voice  electric  and  the  heart  of  youth. 

Now,  wrapped  in  silk  attire  of  tissue  fold, 
Her  figure  well  displayed  in  manner  bold; 
A  graceful  form,  voluptuous,  medium  tall, 
Arrayed  in  sparkling  gems  ofifsetting  all ; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  ii 

Of  brown  eyes  dark,  rich  curly  raven  hair, 
Of  bosom,  arms  and  face  as  liHes  fair ; 
A  maid,  whose  beauty  all  the  crowd  excites, 
Appears  to  view  beneath  the  flaming  lights. 
Boncella,  friend  to  Festus  and  Excess, 
Strolls  slowly  round  in  active  idleness; 
The  queen  of  coquettes,  beauty  of  her  day; 
As  while  her  amorous  eyes  the  guests  survey. 
As  while  each  step  her  ample  members  move, 
In  lazy  play  her  conquering  powers  improve ; 
As  just  the  faintest  smile  her  dimples  dent; 
With  just  enough  exposed  to  discontent. 

Lord  Festus  entering  looked  at  every  head, 
Boncella  singled  out,  approached  and  said : 
*'Ah!  beauty,  vowed  of  all  the  nation's  choice, 
Greeting!  make  merry  and  in  love  rejoice! 
I  have  full  long  amidst  our  happy  guests 
Looked  for  the  face  my  vision  now  arrests. 
(He  draws  her  near).     I  must  a  service  ask, 
One  which  methinks  should  prove  a  pleasing  task. 
Lubin,  a  handsome  youth,  has  lost  his  mate, 
Who  stole  away  because  he  was  sedate. 
The  boy  reluctant  failed  to  find  his  tongue. 
Impatience  pierced  her  rapturous  bosom  young; 
Her  touch  inviting  and  love-longing  eyes 
Were  brushed  aside  as  summer's  tickling  flies; 
Until  at  last  she  gave  the  slip  and  went 
To  seek  a  beau  on  bolder  love  intent. 
Now,  you  have  learned,  'tis  not  for  maids  un- 
skilled 
To  teach  of  love  a  youth  with  meekness  filled; 
Learned,  too,  'tis  wiser  they  seek  daring  mates, 
In  whom  requited  love  for  them  awaits. 
And  so  this  lass  to  find  a  bolder  one 


12  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Has  left  poor  Lubin  to  himself  alone. 
He  wishes  love  but  has  not  learned  the  art, 
The  sight  of  woman  quite  unnerves  his  heart. 
That  he  may  happy  grow,  or  love  be  taught, 
I  seek  Boncella's  beauty,  charm  and  thought. 
Her  fertile  mind  and  rare  dramatic  power 
Can  Lubin  teach  the  game  within  an  hour. 
Assured  of  such  assistance  all  is  well. 
For  she  as  love's  preceptress  does  excel. 
Prithee,  Boncella,  wilt  thou  Lubin  teach? — 
Then  after  thou  may'st  practice  what  ye  preach." 

In  answer  she  but  smiling  bowed  consent. 
They  then  with  arms  entwined  for  Lubin  went; 
Who  soon  was  found  within  a  dark  retreat. 
With  clouded  brow,  lamenting  his  defeat. 

At  their  approach,  he  glancing  up  beholds 
Boncella's  figure,  draped  in  tasty  folds; 
Struck  by  the  supple  form  in  silk  tissue, 
Designs  elysium  bowers  for  lovers  two; 
And  brews  ferocious  thoughts  at  her  expense, 
As  like  a  dove's  his  bosom  swells  immense. 
But  brief  the  time  he  thus  enjoys  her  charms 
Ere  fear  his  bosom  fills  with  wild  alarms; 
He  crouches,  trembles,  wishes  to  be  home, 
Lest  she  should  him  observe  and  nearer  roam 
A  wink  from  Festus  bids  the  girl  enclose; 
He  then  departs  and  t'ward  the  castle  goes. 

"O  moon!"  sings  sweet  Boncella,  "how  sub- 
lime! 
Your  grandeur  does  inspire  the  lover's  rhyme; 
And  beckons  him  to  tempered  deeds  of  love. 
The  kiss,  embrace,  till  hearts  in  rapture  move. 
On  grasses  cold  you  make  the  dewdrops  shine, 
These  frozen  tears  to  sparkle  all  divine. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  13 

Your  liquid  light  enchantment  lends  the  wood ; 
Steals  on  the  heart  in  feelings  fondly  good, 
So  something  strange  the  senses  soft  excite, 
Makes  bosoms  long  to  mount  the  loftiest  height. 
With  all  the  happy  young  you  share  in  mirth, 
But  poor  Boncella,  lovable  from  birth, 
Stands  in  your  light  in  burning  tears  of  grief, 
Unloved,  unpitied,  singing  for  relief. 
Prithee,  my  tears  make  glitter  like  the  dew : 
Though  cold  it  burns  and  sheds  a  luster,  too ; 
While  o'er  my  cheek  the  scalding  drops  of  woe, 
Slighted  by  you,  are  left  without  a  glow. 
Hear  then,  O  moon!  the  pleadings  of  a  maid. 
Who  far  beneath  you  lifts  her  hands  for  aid, 
Begs  that  you  will,  when  she  soon  slumbering 

lies, 
Make  sparkle  every  tear  that  leaves  her  eyes ; 
Till  strolling  guests  review  that  touching  scene, 
Like  now  I  do  behold  this  sleeping  green. 
Then   ah!  sweet   moon,    some   handsome   youth 

may  see, 
And  moved  to  pity  come  and  waken  me; 
In  fond  compassion  nestle  at  my  side, 
And  with  caresses  all  these  sorrows  hide. 
Sweet  moon,  your  blessings  on  me  now  bestow. 
The  heart  aches  and  the  joys  'tis  thine  to  know ; 
So  scan  my  bosom  and  behold  it  true. 
Good  night,  sweet  moon ;  I  throw  a  kiss  to  you." 

Thus  rippled  clear  the  rare  soprano  voice, 
To  make  the  timid  lad  in  hope  rejoice; 
As  while  the  moonbeams  dancing  on  her  face. 
Belied  each  lyric  sung  of  loveless  grace. 
Aye!  far  more  beautiful  than  sparkling  grass, 
Were  those  false  tears  of  this  designing  lass. 


14  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Then  slowly,  of  a  languid  step  and  soft, 
She  him  approaches  with  her  eyes  aloft; 
And  then :  "Amidst  yon  trees  in  shadows  deep, 
I  shall  enclose  myself  in  virgin  sleep; 
There  poor  Boncella  weeping  to  be  loved, 
Must  spend  the  night  in  solitude  unmoved. 
And  now  I  lay  me  down  as  captive  beast, 
In  famished  sleep  while  others  fondly  feast." 

Then  close  to  him  she  nonchalantly  strolled, 
Wrapped   tight   her   mantle    round    her   perfect 

mould, 
Collapsed  into  a  feigned  unconscious  mien. 
And  tragic-like  sunk  trembling  to  the  green. 

No  sooner  had  this  stratagem  been  cast. 
Than  round  her  figure  Lubin's  arms  were  fast. 
''O,  lady,  thou  art  ill !     An  ugly  fall ! 
Art  injured  much?     Shall  I  assistance  call?'' 

This  spoken  loud  he  softly  thus  proceeds 
(While  she  jocose  upon  his  logic  feeds)  : 
''She  does  not  countenance  my  loud  appeal. 
Nor  round  her  my  full  arms  so  much  as  feel. 
The  turbulent  heaving  of  her  rounded  breast 
Proves  she  still  lives  though  dangerous  be  her 

rest. 
But  what  to  do !     I  cannot  summon  aid. 
Lest  Festus  should  conclude  I  harmed  the  maid; 
Say  I  detained  her  here  and  bolder  grew 
Than  one  toward  her  should — a  stranger  too !" 

This  period  reached  he  deep  in  silence  fell. 
But  thus  proceeds,  when  rid  the  thoughtful  spell: 
*T  have  it  now !  the  damsel  is  unloved ; 
A  while  she  spoke  of  solitude  unmoved. 
Came  weeping  hither,  wrapped  in  deep  despair, 
To  sleep  as  dewdrops  sparkled  on  her  hair; 


The  Rebelliox  of  Hell  15 

Expecting  thus  some  passing  guest  to  charm, 
Till  pity-nK)ved  he  lent  the  loving  arm. 
Jf  such  as  she,  so  rich  of  voice  and  mind, 
And  form  voluptuous,  can  no  comrade  find, 
Then  hope  is  mine;  I  shall  succeed  at  last; 
This  night  successful  will  remove  the  past. 
This  sleeping  innocent  'tis  mine  to  woo, 
And  though  her  teacher,  I  shall  profit  too. 
A  glorious  scheme  I  all  former  faults  away ! 
The  drama  starts  and  Lubin  leads  the  play." 

This  low  was  said ;  the  girl  is  now  addrest 
(His  voice  is  calm,  his  timid  heart  at  rest)  : 
"Ah,  lovelv  maid,  whv  seemest  thou  so  sad, 
For  want  of  heartease  border  on  the  mad? 
Why  thus  disheartened  on  the  sordid  earth. 
When  all  the  guests  participate  in  mirth? 
Look  up !  the  moon  in  answer  to  your  prayer. 
Has  placed  nearby  a  comrade  passing  fair ; 
So  be  no  more  morose ;  his  mission  here 
Is  thee  to  succor  and  transform  to  cheer. 
The  most  reluctant,  broken-hearted  too, 
With  his  attention  soon  are  made  anew. 
And  long  experience  in  these  realms  of  art 
Has  taught  that  first  he  must  a  kiss  impart; 
A  friendly  kiss,  that  easy  makes  the  way, 
A  kind  of  prologue  to  the  larger  play." 

This  finished  he,  with  rapture-lighted  face, 
Boncella  raises  in  a  close  embrace; 
Presses,  as  though  a  fire,  her  rosy  lips, 
And  novice- fashion  of  love's  nectar  sips. 
At  which  the  coquette  slightly  moves  her  brow, 
Sighs  faintly  with  the  murmur,  "Who  art  thou? 
What  fond  diviner  of  my  bosom's  throes 
Comes  hither  to  make  light  these  many  woes? 


l6  The  Rebellion  of  HelL 

What   kindly    hand    has    smoothed    my    ragged 

locks, 
Who  me  now  cradles  and  so  fondly  rocks? 
And  what  was  that  possessed  such  soothing  bliss  ? 
Could  it  be  possible  it  were  a  kiss?" 

These  words  on  Lubin  had  a  shivering  tend, 
His  courage  failed,  his  bravery  came  to  end. 
Assured  she  slept,  removed  in  heavy  swoon, 
A  confidence  had  warmed  the  cub  buffoon; 
But  at  the  first  sign  of  her  coming  to. 
His    fear    returned;    he  trembled  through  and 

through. 
And  dropped  Boncella  like  a  heated  steel. 
As  while  his  hands  amongst  his  garments  feel; 
Feel  as  for  something  but  he  knows  not  what — 
They  like  a  spider  wiggle  when  it's  caught. 

And  then  Boncella,  cunning,  calm,  resigned, 
Opened  her  eyes,  of  aspect  most  refined; 
Looked  up  at  him  from  her  enticing  bed. 
With  hands  enclasped  beneath  her  languid  head, 
With  arms  at  angles,  soft  and  shapely  bred. 
Sparkling  with  gems,  as  this  she  smiling  said; 

''Ah,  do  mine  eyes  see  true,  can  this  be  so, 
Or  am  I  still  in  dreams  of  mystic  show? 
I  begged  the  tranquil  moon  to  quiet  me, 
My  heart  from  longing  wretchedness  to  free ; 
And    now,    good-natured    thing,    in    answering 

prayer. 
Has  sent  a  youth  of  charming  mien  and  fair. 
Ah,  too,  sweet  moon,  his  figure  is  sublime, 
As  fancy  paints  in  life's  romantic  time. 
(She  raised  her  hand  and  touched  the  frightened 

breast) 
But  that  my  head  could  here  forever  rest! 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  17 

How  happy  then  my  erstwhile  dismal  lot, 

To  dwell  in  love,  save  love  none  other  thought!" 

She  subtlely  here  arose  upon  her  bow, 
And  loosed  her  robes  exposing  much  to  show. 
One  glance  and  then  the  pupil  tried  to  bolt. 
But  his  preceptress  charmed  him  back  to  holt. 
With  cooling  hand  upon  his  heated  head, 
She  drew  him  near  and  more  emboldened  said : 

*'Ah,  lovely  youth,  why  would  you  run  away? 
The  night  gives  promise  so  'tis  well  to  stay. 
How  sweet  that  smile !   far  better  than  the  scowl ; 
You  now  have  learned  I  neither  sting  nor  growl. 
Smile  on,  belov'd ;  your  smile  is  rainbow  ray, 
Succeeding  storm  that  clouds  the  darksome  day. 
O,  why  did  you  not  sooner  give  it  me? — 
A  smile  is  such  a  little  thing,  and  free. 
'Tis  it  that  first  breeds  confidence  in  love, 
And  prompts  affection-smitten  maids  to  move: 
In  strong  assurance  of  a  love  returned; — 
The  smile  has  many  a  man  an  Eden  earned. 
And  now,  as  round  you  placed  are  these  warm 

arms, 
My  bosom  swells  with  rapturous  love's  alarms ; 
Each  pore  imparts  a  sweet-bewildering  pain, 
On  which  I  dote  and  ever  would  retain. 
My  own,  dost  feel  my  heart  beat  strangely  fast, 
It  feel  beneath  a  warm  soft  melting  cast? 
With  maddening  measures  panting  in  its  nest. 
Re-echoing  rampant  through  my  humid  breast?" 

While   speaking   this,   her   arms   enclosed   his 
waist, 
And  close  to  hers  his  bosom  long  embraced. 
But  he  made  no  reply ;  bewitched  by  her, 
His  mind  and  body  both  refused  to  stir. 


M 


i8  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

His  eyes  no  rest  received ;  to  left  and  right, 

They  shot  around  as  bHnded  by  the  night. 

His    teeth    made    chattering    discords    and    his 

hands 
Each  other  gouged,  and  so  his  heels  the  sands. 
His  wish  was  pleasure,  but  his  heart  rebelled, 
Between  two  fires  was  by  the  woman  held. 

Boncella  seeing  that  her  charms  were  power 
(Which  ever  were  from  their  first  budding  hour) 
Wisely  and  slowly  made  the  final  play, 
In  which  the  timid  grew  the  happy  prey. 
The  fond  preceptress  of  experience  large, 
Instructed  as  she  full  enjoyed  her  charge. 
All  transports  in  the  art  of  love  were  used 
To  keep  her  pupil,  Festus'  guest,  amused ; 
As  while  the  moon  on  other  pleasures  bent, 
Beyond  a  cloud  retired  in  full  content. 
And  now  we  leave  them,  too,  alone  with  love. 
As  night  forbidding  guards  the  envied  grove. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  19 


CANTO  THE  SECOND. 

Thus  Excess  full  a  mirthful  time  enjoyed, 
Till  one  appeared  and  canial's  peace  destroyed. 
Rodolphus  at  the  midnight  hour  is  seen 
To  hobble  past  the  gate  and  up  the  green  ; 
To  cross  the  threshold,  mumbling  discontent, 
Supporting  with  a  staff  his  figure  bent. 

Festus  was  with  the  feasters  in  the  hall 
When  he  received  this  unexpected  call. 
Neither  could  he  nor  anyone  divine 
What  brought  the  sage 'to  realms  of  mirth  and 

wine : 
Both  which  he  hated,  for  all  things  of  cheer 
Contrary  were  to  his  religion  dear ; 
Hence    from    surprise    the    folk    their    pleasure 

ceased 
And  straight  assembled  round  the  scholar-priest. 

The  cordial  Festus  him  to  welcome  sped, 
But  was  repulsed  as  stepping  back  he  said : 
''Greeting,  my  lords  of  carnal,  strong  in  arms, 
Rulers  of  neighboring  nations,  towns  and  farms ! 
This  night  you  mingle  here  in  mirth  and  feast, 
For  such  these  realms  are  famous  west  and  east, 
From  north  to  south;  while  open  is  the  door. 
Alike  to  youth  and  age,  the  rich  and  poor. 
Wrapped  in  the  pleasures  of  a  festive  vein, 
My  lords  neglect  their  duties  on  the  plain ; 
There  at  this  instant  you  should  be  with  arms, 


20  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

To  fight  the  Empire  that  in  secret  harms. 
Its  spies  and  sorcerers  when'er  they  please 
Invade,  and  rob  my  carnal  lords  of  ease. 
E'en  while  you  here  attend  this  drunken  meal. 
They  slurk  around  and  many  a  convert  steal. 
'Tis  youth  not  age  that  does  to  them  succumb, 
And  this  is  why  your  arms  to  war  are  dumb. 
So  long  as  to  her  chief  each  state  is  loyal, 
Ye  trouble  not  when  youth  with  serpents  coil ; 
But  read  upon  the  wall  your  dreadful  plight: 
Bereft  of  youth  the  strongest  fall  in  fight. 
These  in  the  battle  shoulder  all  the  weight, 
Hence  with  them  rests  the  destiny  of  state. 
Then  guard  the  youth,  fear  more  for  youth  than 

age. 
Think  not  of  self,  with  youth  let  all  engage; 
To  him  alike  be  each  a  martial  lord. 
And  as  example  wield  the  peerless  sword. 
Bear  arms !  bear  arms !  until  ye  victory  gain, 
Till  Spirit  Mind  is  swept  from  carnal's  plane! 
This  dread  imposter,  robed  in  empire  rites, 
Whose  viper  hovers  near  and  deadly  bites: 
Beneath  your  very  noses  steeped  in  wines, 
Wiggles  to  conquer,  unmolested   shines! 
And  ye  thus  threatened  sit,  to  duty  mute, 
By  drink  depraved,  sunk  lower  than  the  brute. 
But  every  second  that  ye  so  defame. 
Makes  harder  still  to  quench  the  Spirit  flame. 
They  stand  in  arms  of  daily  rising  power. 
While  you  neglectful,  weaker  grow  each  hour. 
Think  on  it.  Lords :  all  carnal  is  at  stake — 
All    quick    in    arms — the    Spirit's    strength    to 

break!" 
He  ceased  and  Festus  thus  replied  in  brief 


The  Rebellion'  of  Hell  21 

(As  scanned  he  close  the  face  of  every  chief)  : 
'*A  speech  of  feeling,  but  your  proof  that  they 
Have  hither  coijie  and  converts  led  away. 
The  chiefs,  I  note,  are  ready  now  to  act, 
But  as  for  me  there  must  be  vital  fact. 
Unlike  the  chiefs.  I  hate  not  Spirit  Mind, 
And  without  me  they  could  no  battle  find, — 
At  least  in  these  surroundings,  for  you  know 
]\Iy  nation  bounds  on  that  of  carnal's  Foe. 
Yon  desert  is  the  seat  of  w-ar,  and  there 
Hell  shall  not  fight  unless  her  cause  be  fair. 
Now,  sir.  the  reason  why  you  came  to-night 
To  spoil  this  reign  of  peace  and  war  incite." 

This  said  in  firm  and  diplomatic  tone, 
As  strength  of  purpose  by  his  face  was  show-n, 
Had  its  effect  on  all.     They  Festus  knew : 
Though  not  of  Spirit  ^lind,  a  statesman  true; 
Of  kindly  feeling  for  each  fellow  man. 
Unmindful  who  he  be,  or  what  his  clan; 
Who  seldom  lost  a  fight  when  forced  to  war, 
And  though  her   foe  t'ward  Heaven  no  hatred 
bore. 

Rodolphus  feeling  now  his  rash  mistake, 
That  of  refusing  Festus'  hand  to  shake, 
Ignoring  him  by  speaking  o'er  his  head 
To  those  around,  smiled  all  abashed  and  said; 
"Most  noble  host  of  Excess,  pardon  me. 
I  shall  make  answer  and  address  but  thee. 
I  can  not  now  deliver  you  the  proof 
That  they  have  worked  beneath  your  actual  roof; 
Yet  there  is  that  sufficient  to  conclude 
Throughout  these  realms  they  have  such  course 

pursued. 
To  note  the  Spirit's  ever  rising  power, 


22  The  Rebellion  of  Hell  i 

And    your    decreasing    strength    from    hour    to 

hour, 
Does  well  suffice :  if  nothing  more  we  knew 
'T would  give  sufficient  proof  my  words  are  true. 
But  one  thing  certain  I  have  learned  of  late: 
My  favorite  pupil  has  denied  his  state, 
lias  traitor  turned,  not  only  on  his  sire, 
But  holy  writ,  by  joining  Love's  Empire. 
Sir  Villard,  son  of  Scowlard,  fearful  chief, 
Has   from  my   hands  escaped  and   brought  me 

grief. 
His  father  shall  a  curse  pronounce  on  me, 
Unless  I  save  his  son  and  carnal  free, 
Through  union  of  the  nether  state,  defeat 
The  Spirit  Mind  and  sink  beneath  our  feet. 
And  what  is  my  concern  should  be  yours  too, 
For  carnal' s  youth  I  teach  the  knowledge  true, 
Their  future  mould,  the  coming  ages  make; 
Therefore.  O  chief,  wouldst  thou  my  cause  for- 
sake?" 
To  which  the  host:  ''All  causes  are  aUke; — 
'Tis  malice  ever  forces  man  to  strike ; 
So  call  it  well  a  cause,  Rodolphus,  and 
Continue  with  your  wrath  for  Spirit  Land. 
Your  pupil  has  withdrawn  from  carnal  mind, 
But  dare  he  not  another  refuge  find? 
To-night  a  goodly  number  fill  my  home, 
But  should  I  hate  all  those  who  failed  to  come? 
You  churchmen  are  most  inconsistent,  sir, 
In  name  of  god  the  whole  of  carnal  stir, 
Get  them  to  serve  your  personal  selfish  ends. 
Whereas,  a  peaceful  Festus  much  offends. 
Yes,  from  a  carnal  view,  your  cause  is  right, 
Nor  shall  I  labor  to  avoid  the  fight. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  23 

For  that  would  foolish  be  and  end  in  naught, 
For  here  I  dwell  amidst  the  carnal  thought, 
And  keep  an  open  house  for  every  man ; 
And  Excess  is  itself  a  nether  clan. 
Therefore,  to  carnal  laws  'tis  mine  to  yield, 
And  when  compelled,  engage  upon  the  field. 
Your  cause  sufficient  is,  but  very  poor. 
Proceed;  give  now  the  manifest  of  war." 

Stung  by  the  host's  reproof  of  narrow  creeds, 
But  pleased  with  his  consent,  the  priest  proceeds : 
''My  chief  of  Excess  may  not  comprehend: 
This  Love  Religion  does  the  lord  offend ; 
It  is  antagonistic  to  his  view. 
Which  is  the  word,  the  church  and  only  true. 
It  is  not  personal  motives  make  us  fight : 
To  kill  for  him  is  sacred  in  his  sight." 

The  host  here  interrupted:    "But  proceed! 
We  know  that  hatred  is  the  soul  of  creed. 
Take  not  our  time  explaining  th'  unexplained ; 
Go    on!  what    wouldst    thou    have    of    hell    in- 
flamed?" 

Rodolphus  trembling  thus  continued  straight: 
''First,  that  you  war  against  the  Spirit  State, 
Till  it  is  conquered,  trampled  under  foot, 
Till  mind  is  ruled  by  carnal  absolute ; 
Next,  that  my  pupil  be  returned,  to  die: 
To  punish  him  and  raise  his  soul  on  high; 
And  last,  that  his  seductress,  Cassia,  pay 
The  lewdest  price  and  then  be  burned  away. 
That  is  the  manifesto  sent  throughout 
The  carnal  mind,  to  every  state  in  thought, 
This  night  before  departing  from  my  school; 
To  each  the  foreign  chiefs  'twas  giv'n  in  full. 
In  that  dispatch  I  told  of  Spirit's  power, 


24  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Of  carnal's  suicide  from  hour  to  hour; 
That  not  a  moment  should  be  lost,  else  they 
Would  sink  forever  into  quick  decay; 
That,  full  considering  Spirit's  solid  might, 
As  one  the  whole  of  carnal  mind  should  fight; 
That  state  disputes  should  be  forthwith  forgot, 
Else  would  triumphant  rise  the  Spirit  Thought. 
I  closed,  informing  them  of  Scowlard's  loss, 
And  begging  that  they  now  these  borders  cross, 
Speed  hither  to  the  Castle  of  Excess, 
Join  arms  with  you :  this  wrongness  to  redress. 
And,  chiefs,  they  should  appear  this  very  night. 
With  you  to  counsel  and  design  the  fight." 

Lord  Festus  thus :   **  'Tis  very  well  to  fight, 
Attempt  to  down  the  Spirit's  growing  might 
(If  fight  you  must),  but  why  your  pupil  slay, 
Or  innocence  defoul  and  burn  away? 
Why  not  take  issue  only  on  the  grounds 
That  Spirit  is  encroaching  on  our  bounds? — 
That,  sir,  methinks,  sufificient  is  for  you. 
And  gives  to  war  a  less  malicious  hue." 

Rodolphus,  now  encouraged  by  the  wrath 
Upon  the  chieftains'  faces,  feigned  to  laugh; 
And   snarling   thus   replied :    ''Your   guests   are 

fired. 
Each   moment   grow   they   more   and   more   in- 
spired : 
The  wrath  of  god  is  in  them,  each  and  all; 
Oppose  them  not  again  else  ye  shall  fall ! 
Behold  their  faces;  written  there  is  seen 
The  power  almighty  to  redress  his  spleen. 
The  will  of  him  has  spoken  from  on  high: 
My  pupil  and  that  Cassia  both  must  die. 
And  sir,  loose  master  of  this  godless  place, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  25 

Ye  now  must  silence  keep  else  war  embrace." 

The  diplomat,  with  passions  fully  manned, 
Around    him    each    the    murderous    chieftains 

scanned ; 
Saw  righteous  argument  against  the  sage, 
With  such  as  they,  would  not  remove  their  rage ; 
Saw  carnal  had  descended  past  his  power, 
Saw  tact  was  only  his  at  such  an  hour; 
And,  therefore,   smiling  said :  "Ha,  ha !     Brace 

up. 
My  noble  guests,  and  drain  a  friendly  cup. 
Ere  anything  be  done,  we  must  await 
The  coming  of  our  foreign  chiefs  of  state; 
Rodolphus  says  they  should  arrive  to-night. 
So  let  us  while  we  may  in  mirth  delight." 

This  said  he  seated  them  around  the  board, 
Then  filled  himself  the  cup  of  every  lord; 
Ordered  the  music  start,  and  cracking  jests 
Sat  down  between  his  two  most  angry  guests. 

Just  then  Boncella  and  her  charge  are  seen 
The  hall  to  enter  from  the  realms  of  green. 
While  Lubin  stands,  she  hastens  to  the  side 
Of  Festus,  her  adventure  to  confide. 
Festus  (with  sparkling  eyes)  bestirs  his  staff, 
Leans  back  and  utters  loud  a  hearty  laugh. 
Learning  the  cause,  all  join  the  boisterous  move, 
Which  fills  with  mirth  the  hall  and  neighboring 

grove ; 
While  shame-faced  Lubin,  seeing  he  is  sold, 
From  Excess  runs,  far  wiser  than  of  old. 

Amidst  this  mirth  the  foreign  trumpets  sound, 
Through    distant    hills    which    flank    the    state 

around. 
On  every  side  the  martial  music  chimes, 


26  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  native  airs  of  many  different  climes: 
The  states  of  carnal  to  the  golden  east. 
Where  Avarice,  Lust  and  loose  Corruption  feast ; 
Those  of  the  north,  that  cold  and  heartless  land, 
Where  loathed  Autocracy  has  prime  command; 
Those  of  the  hills  which  kiss  the  western  sky, 
Where  Selfishness,  Conceit  and  Vice  belie ; 
Those  of  the  tropics,  of  the  southern  plain, 
Where  Malice,  Murder,  Fear  and  Sorrow  reign; 
And  all  the  rest  composing  foreign  hell. 
Which  far  around  the  local  nations  dwell, 
By  sage  Rodolphus'  scroll  of  war  alarms, 
Unto  the  Castle  Excess  bear  their  arms. 

The  plains  and  hills  are  now  alive  with  troops, 
On  every  side  to  march  in  numerous  groups. 
All  straight  advance  toward  the  destined  place, 
Where  carnal  is  to  mingle  face  to  face ; 
Where  the  gigantic  council  will  be  held. 
There  portion  of  the  planet  mind  to  weld; — 
Hell's  mighty  states  beneath  one  common  crown, 
To  force  the  Love  Empire  forever  down. 

The  troops  of  Festus  bear  the  trains  along, 
A  powerful  escort  for  each  foreign  throng; 
For  when  the  trumpet-airs  approached  the  house. 
He   bade   his    captains    straight   their   arms   es- 
pouse, 
Advance  in  all  directions  o'er  the  land, 
Receive  each  foreign  chief  with  his  command. 
And  welcome  them  within  the  castle  wall, 
Where  friendly  hearts  await  them  each  and  all. 

The   trumpet-blasts   which  on   the   house   de- 
scend, 
And  clank  of  armor  tell  their  journey's  end. 
The  men  stack  arms  amidst  the  foliage  damp 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  27 

Around  the  castle  pitch  a  temporal  camp. 

The    chiefs     in    helmets    bright    and    proudly 

groomed, 
As  banners  of  their  states  around  them  loomed, 
Their  armor  clanking  at  each  martial  bend, 
Appear  within,  hell's  awful  wrath  to  mend. 

The  lords  of  carnal  from  all  foreign  climes, 
Birth  and  conditions  mental  for  all  times; 
Those  awful  chiefs,  whose  scabbards  clank  the 

floor, 
Who  ne'er  in  peace  had  crossed  their  eyes  be- 
fore. 
Before  Rodolphus,  priest  to  god  of  fear, 
And  diplomatic  Festus  now  appear. 

When  all  were  safe  within,  the  host  began: 
''Welcome,  sir  chiefs,  for  each  and  every  man! 
The  state  and  castle  of  Excess  are  thine, 
So  drink,  make  merry  and  as  brothers  dine. 
What  ere  you  wish  that  in  these  borders  lie, 
What  ere  you  see  that  wins  your  generous  eye, 
Without  a  word,  devoid  of  asking,  take; 
Behold  it  here  for  your  especial  sake. 
The  martial  mission  of  your  mighty  trains. 
Foregoing  battle  on  the  carnal  plains, 
You  will  decide  with  him,  who  far  and  near 
Sent   forth   the   message   which   has   called  you 

here ; 
Him,  who  without  election  at  our  hands 
Appears  the  chief  of  these  contiguous  lands. 
His  fame  abroad,  and  hate  for  Spirit  Mind, 
Prove  that  we  could  no  better  chieftain  find. 
The  great  Rudolphus  of  Illusion  Land, 
In  our  behalf,  awaits  my  lords'  command." 
His  task  of  welcoming  the  guests  at  end. 


2S  The  Rebellion  ov  Hell 

Lord  Festus  bowed  and  bade  the  sage  attend. 
Then  from  the  crowd  Rodolphus  stepped  ahead. 
To  front  the  Hne  of  dazzUng  helms,  and  said: 

"Sir  chieftains  of  the  foreign  states  in  mind. 
Through  duty  forced  to  leave  thy  homes  behind, 
In  full  response  to  my  appealing  scroll, 
Accept  my  thanks ;  I  weeping  thee  extol. 
(He  paused  and  wept.)     My  mission  is  to  teach, 
And  of  the  fearful  lord  to  meekly  preach; 
Yet  I  do  falter  not,  but  rather  bow, 
When  crowned  by  these  at  such  a  time  as  now ; 
When  life,  when  truth,  when  justice  is  at  stake, 
Tis  right  I  lead  them  on — for  father's  sake. 
The  ruling  force  compelling  them  to  act. 
Was  not  my  faith  nor  military  tact ; 
For  in  religion  few  with  mine  agree, 
Though  no  contention  has  been  given  me; 
And  I,  the  foremost  priest  to  god  of  fear, 
With  sword  in  hand  would  but  a  knave  appear. 
Yet,  there  be  blood  within  the  mortal  veins 
Which  grows  inactive  when  ambition  wanes; 
When  great  attempts  of  men  close  with  defeat, 
They  will  low  pleasures  but  too  often  greet ; 
And  so  these  lords  of  carnal  here  reviewed, 
Repulsed  in  war,  have  lowly  pastime  wooed. 
Their  blood  needs  be  refreshed  with  godly  fire, 
With  generalship  of  fear  which  ne'er  can  tire. 
This  borne  in  mind,  'tis  but  a  sacred  rite 
That  I  their  guide  become  and  war  incite." 

This  speech  at  end,  Rodolphus'  trembling  hand 
Salutes  Lord  Scowlard  of  Illusion  Land; 
And  then  he  him  addressed :  "Most  mighty  chief, 
My  sympathy  is  thine  in  this,  thy  grief. 
Thy  erring  son  I  did  my  best  to  save. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  29 

But  youth  o'er  age  the  fatal  victory  gave, 
And  made  escape.     (He  points  to  Spirit  Mind.) 
There,  with  the  damned,   thou  wilt  the  traitor 
find." 

Illusion's  heartless  monarch  thus  replied: 
"Would  that  he  had  by  righteous  slaughter  died ! 
But  what  to  do?  he  now  is  gone;  so  then 
There  but  remains  to  battle  Spirit's  men: 
Yon  reptiles  loathed  by  all  the  powers  at  hand 
Who  now  are  come  to  join  in  union  grand. 
Enough  preamble !    Business  must  be  done, 
To  be  prepared  for  war  by  rising  sun. 
This  vast  assemblage  of  the  carnal  chiefs, 
Proves  that  there  now  remain  no  former  griefs. 
All  civil  war  at  end,  we  shall  unite. 
The  common  foe  to  crush  beneath  our  might. 
(He  paused.)     li  opposition  does  abide 
Within  these  walls,  all  such  must  step  aside ; 
We  need  them  not  and  charge  them  now  to  go. 
(Another  pause,  in  which  all  silence  show.) 
Then,  chiefs,  one  question  answer: — aye  or  nay; 
Shall  brotherly  we  stand  in  this  affray  ?" 

The  chiefs  in  strong  affirmative  replied ; — 
One  adding:   "li  the  general's  fame  is  wide; 
H  he  possesses  strength  enough  to  lead, 
Is  just,  is  brave,  is  mighty  but  in  deed." 

To  which  Illusion's  chieftain  frowning  said: 
"Rodolphus  to  the  best  would  give  the  head. 
But,  shall  the  counsel  for  these  native  bands 
Preside  o'er  us  who  hail  from  distant  lands? 
(They  pleased  make  answer,  "y^s")  Rodolphus, 

then 
Attend  your  berth,  all  carnal's  chief  of  men; 
And  all  the  duties  of  chief  counsel  do, 


30  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Command  with  fear  and  we  shall  follow  you." 
Rodolphus  thus :  ''All  that  by  carnal  willed, 
Upon  my  honor,  shall  be  well  fulfilled. 
To  choose  the  great  commander-in-the-field, 
Must  first  of  all  my  sacred  duty  wield. 
Those  past  defeats  which  sunk  my  lords  in  woe, 
I  well  observed,  to  cause  me  wiser  grow : 
Chief  to  those  crushing  failures  on  the  plain, 
Were  men  whose  blood  pursued  an  aged  vein; 
Men  for  whose  valor  I  shall  ever  love, 
But  men  who  lacked  the  power  to  rise  above; 
Men  who  with  age  became  of  care  so  full, 
That  martial  strength  and  energy  grew  cool. 
And  these  two  virtues — ah,  most  happy  mates — 
So  needed  to  revive  the  carnal  states. 
Belong  to  youth,  a  youth  with  them  ensealed 
Must  be  my  first  commander-in-the-field. 
And  Mideon,  Scowlard's  son  of  great  renown, 
In  war  unconquered,  shall  receive  the  crown. 
This  youth,  whom  you   have   either   praised   or 

damned. 
Will  now  appear  and  carnal  troops  command!" 
This  summons  finds  its  man  amidst  the  crowd. 
He  straight  obeys,  as  all  the  house  applaud. 
Tall,  athletic,  armed  from  head  to  foot. 
With  dark  eyes  fierce,  of  purpose  resolute, 
With  powerful  face  and  arms  of  carmine  hue, 
Is  seen  chief  Mideon  as  he  stalks  in  view. 

Soon  as  the  front  was  reached  he  hurled  his 
sword 
With  force  vehement  at  the  pleasure  board, 
Close  followed  in  pursuit  his  blazing  shield. 
Both  crashing  struck ;  the  bulky  table  reeled. 
Both  men  and  women  with  the  board  capsized, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  31 

Sunk  to  the  floor,  all  drunken  and  surprised ; 
While  those  around  stood  silent  out  of  fear; — 
Chief  Mideon's  presence  none  dared  but  revere. 

He  for  a  moment  looked  that  body  o'er, 
Then  loud  of  voice  arraigned  the  guests  afloor: 
'*Ye  things  of  appetite  profoundly  low, 
Who  breed  disaster  wheresoe'er  you  go ; 
Ye  flabby  monsters  bloated  out  of  shape, 
Who  swell  supinely  on  fermented  grape; 
Ye  vile  defenders  of  behavior  loose, 
Who  stab  mankind  and  tie  the  penal  noose; 
Ye  varlets  of  a  sick  disordered  brain, 
Who  look  no  higher  than  the  lustful  vein; 
Ye  social  wrecks  to  loathsome  pleasure  sold, 
Who  for  a  bribe  will  any  cause  uphold ; 
Ye  martial  cowards  whom  the  rankest  wench 
Can  at  a  touch  your  life's  ambition  quench; 
Ye,  who  amidst  the  war's  appealing  call, 
Of   camp   complain,   condemn   your   chiefs,   and 

bawl: 
And  ye,   foul  women,  counterparts  of  wine, 
Viler  than  poison  from  the  fatal  vine; 
Ye  human  vultures  clipped  of  lifting  arms, 
Forever  damned  of  man  to  sell  your  charms; 
Ye  who  exist  on  flesh  and  bones  of  death, 
Where  once  brave  masculinity  drew  breath: 
All  ye,  ye  harlots  and  ye  men  deceased. 
Behold  this  termination  of  your  feast! 
H  chief  I  stand  I  stand  the  chief  profound; 
Soldiers  I  have  instead  of  sots  around!" 

Festus  insulted  at  this  angry  burst 
(For  'twas  his  wine  which  caused  the  trouble 
first), 


32  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Rushed     forward     with     his     sword     ungirded 

waved ! — 
But  Reason  then  his  nobler  honor  saved. 
Unseen  she  rushed  and  smote  his  passion  dead; 
And,  when  the  calm  returned,  he  justly  said: 

"My  son,  I  love  thee  but  must  thee  rebuke. 
This,  thy  behavior,  hath  my  patience  shook. 
'Tis  not  for  thee  to  censure  at  Excess, 
Whereat  I  reign  and  live  in  happiness. 
This  region  I  have  ever  ruled  alone, 
And  for  assistance  do  solicit  none. 
Upon  the  field  thou  bidst  and  I  obey. 
But  in  my  house  thou  canst  not  say  me  nay. 
This  act  I  pardon,  but  remember  well, 
The  Castle  Excess  is  the  best  in  hell." 

This  said  they  lapse  in  conversation  low, 
Their  grievance  settle  without  further  show; 
In  smiles  conclude  and  their  two  ways  retake, 
Festus  to  jon  the  chiefs  as  Mideon  spake: 

"  'Tis  dawn :    the  sun  comes  slowly  o'er  the 
hill. 
To  martial-like  the  soldier's  heart  enthrill; 
The  war-horse,  anxious,  sniffs  the  morning  air. 
Stamps  with  impatience  for  the  battle's  scare: 
So  now,  Sir  chieftains,  scan  your  armies  through, 
And  organize  them  for  a  grand  review. 
Beyond  the  rampart  you  will  then  advance, 
The  javelin,  axe,  the  sword,  the  bow,  the  lance; 
All  arms  and  men  your  myriad  legions  boast 
I  shall  review,  then  storm  the  Spirit's  host." 

He  then  salutes.     The  chieftains  wave  their 
thanks. 
And  leave  the  castle  to  prepare  the  ranks. 
The  general  tarries  for  a  moment  brief, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  33 

Then  follows  with  the  host,  and  counsel  chief, 
The  host  escorts  them  past  the  castle  door, 
And  then  departs  to  line  his  troops  for  war. 

Boncella  from  a  crowd  of  carnal  belles 
(All  whom  in  beauty  she  by  far  excels), 
The  youthful  chieftain  deeply  contemplates, 
As  he  departs  to  view  the  nether  states. 
Emotion  then  commands  her  cross  his  way. 
To  then  recross  and  from  the  castle  stray: 
A  pace  or  two  ahead  of  him  to  go, 
And  frequent  glances  o'er  her  shoulder  throw. 

She  ponders   thus:    ''What  motive   leads   me 
here? 
What  means  this  panting  breast  and  daring  fear? 
How  whimsical  I    This  chief  is  but  a  male  ; 
The  same  as  many  another  whom  I  hail. 
But  all  past  pleasures  now  appear  as  tame ; 
To  specks  they  dwindle  at  this  newest  flame. 
They  thrilled  me  not  as  this — this,  what  is  it ! 
Has  wise  Boncella  lost  her  native  wit? 
W'hat  drives  me  forth? — I  do  not  choose  to  flirt; 
Mine  eyes  are  only  in  the  night  alert. 
'Tis  now  full  dawn  and  time  for  me  to  sleep, 
Instead  of  roving  thus  in  wonder  deep : 
Half  conscious  of  the  wakeful,  half  of  dream, 
While  things  around  a  fairy  rebus  seem. 
!^Iethinks    my    heart    shall   jump    from   out   my 

breast 
Each  time  mine  eyes  ujx)n  this  chieftain  rest; 
And  yet!  ah  me,  still  greater  is  its  bound, 
When  I  look  from  him  to  the  blank  beyond." 

She  thus  engaged  in  semi-spoken  thought. 
Till  time  her  to  the  chieftain's  chariot  brought. 
Fatigued,  she  sits  and  lifts  her  languid  eyes, 


34  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

As  Mideon  her  observes  with  dark  surprise. 
She  looks  at  him  (her  hands  upon  her  knee), 
Then  blushes,  smiles,  assumes  a  manner  free. 
The    chieftain's    wrath    is    struck;    his    dagger 

gleams ; 
It  rises — falls — Boncella  bleeding  screams! 
He   then   commands:    "Away — from   out   my 

sight ! 
I  come  not  here  to  brothel,  but  to  fight. 
Thy  ruse  of  conquest  may  mislead  the  boy 
Or  man  degenerate,  but  not  me  decoy. 
Find  thou  thy  place,  the  house,  this  wound  allay, 
And  intercept  me  not  again.     Away!" 

She  weeping  from  the  chariot  floor  arose, 
And  to  the  castle  went,  to  nurse  her  woes ; 
There  from  a  bower  which  overlooked  the  grove, 
To  doting  see  her  fierce  assailant  move. 
"How  brave,  how  handsome  is  this  awful  chief," 
She  softly  said  amidst  her  joy  and  grief. 
"Why  did  he  smite  me  with  that  loathsome  knife? 
There  was  no  cause  for  this  attempt  at  Hfe; 
I  but  reposed  upon  his  chariot  floor. 
And  certainly  my  face  no  conquest  wore : 
Of  this  he  did  accuse  me  with  perforce — 
As  though  Boncella  could  bring  man  remorse!  , 
Why !  have  these  charms  ev'n  once  ensnared  a 

boy — 
Or  man  degenerate — save  to  give  him  joy! 
I  give  my  love  and  ask  but  love  in  lieu, 
For  I  have  wealth  and  youth,  and  prestige,  too. 
What     strange     commotion     breeds     this     ugly 

wound ! 
Shall  he  be  cursed  or  shall  his  praises  sound? 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  35 

Strange    have    I    felt    ere    now    when    pleasure 

reigned, 
But  ecstasy  before  I  never  gained. 
Ah !  bosom  mine,  how  sweet  the  crimson  flood 
Thou  dost  impart  is  for  affection's  food ! 
It  bubbles  from  thee  like  a  mountain  spring,^ 
To  make  me  weep  and  through  my  tears  to  sing; 
To  force  the  heart  that  beats  beneath  thy  gems 
To  pine  for  him  my  woman's  pride  condemns; 
To  make  me  glory  in  his  cruel  deed, 
To  make  me  wish  I  could  forever  bleed. 
I  hate  this  dreadful  chief. — and  yet  admire; 
In  baffling  me  he  sets  my  heart  afire. 
Ah!   Mideon  man,  I  pardon  thee  for  this: 
Thou  may'st  in  hate  my  every  vein  dismiss; 
Or  hang  my  suffering  body  on  a  spear, 
Let  hungry  beasts  my  parts  to  atoms  tear; 
Do  what  ye  please,  and  I  the  deed  approve ; — 
Of  all  thy  sex  I  fear  thee  yet  I  love." 

This  said,  from  weakness  and  emotion  deep, 
She  screams,  and  falls  unconscious  in  a  heap. 
Quickly  her  maids  rush  to  their  mistress'  side, 
Bear  her  to  bed  and  stop  the  crimson  tide.         1 

And    while    they    thus,    the    brazen    trumpets 
sound, 
The  blooded  coursers  plow  the  fertile  ground, 
The  lash's  crack  inspires  the  restless  horse. 
Which  four-in-hand  pursue  a  circling  course. 
Chief    Mideon    thundering    swings    around    the 

tents, 
Th'  engines  of  war  and  human  battlements, 
Amidst  a  massive  cloud  of  dust  appears 
Before  the  wall,  attended  well  by  cheers; 
Then,  with  Rodolphus  and  a  favored  few, 


36  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Ascends  the  rampart  for  the  grand  review. 

The  trumpets   sound,   the  chieftains'   chariots 
roll, 
The  troops  advance  in  one  commanding  whole ; 
Far,  far  away,  until  they  fade  from  sight, 
One  glittering  streak  amidst  the  morning  light ; 
With  banners,  flags  and  plumes  upon  the  wynd; 
With  chariot,  horse  and  foot  in  legions  lined; 
Past  Excess  o'er  the  plains  their  course  pursue; — 
While  follows  thus  in  brief  the  grand  review. 

Review  of  the  Carnal  Troops. 
First  Festus,  chief  of  Excess,  to  the  north 
From  southward  leads  the  local  nations  forth. 
The  next  in  line  is  Monden,  lord  of  Hate, 
Who  without  cause  despises  every  state. 
And  next  is  Vengeance,  chiefed  by  Burganand, 
Who  robs  the  law  by  taking  it  in  hand. 
Then  Crephus  and  his  state  Deceit  are  nigh, 
Who  tell  no  truth  if  they  can  think  a  lie. 
Next,  Buno  leads  Impatience  o'er  the  track: 
They   who   push    forward,   grieve,   then  tumble 

back. 
Balsaba  next,  of  Mount  Indifferent: 
Of  firmness  none ;  t'ward  every  issue  bent. 
Then  Nancalot,  the  lord  of  Ignorant  Land, — 
The  hot-house  breeder  of  hell's  grossest  brand. 
Zinehas,  lord  of  Boasters,  and  his  class, 
Succeed  in  line  with  roaring  lungs  of  brass. 
Rebalt  of  Envy  next  appears  to  view; 
Who  praise  for  his  superiors  never  knew. 
Then  Waraluke,  the  leader  of  Discord, 
Whose  growls  and  kicks  are  barren  of  reward. 
Perenus  next,  with  Bigotry's  command, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  37 

Whose    creed    and  state    are    right,    all    others 

damned. 
Then  Deification,  Vadal's  clan  is  seen ; 
Who,  prophet-drugged,  begod  the  quack  serene. 

Hypocrasy,  by  Alzarica  led, 
Now  issues  forth,  with  smiles  profusely  shed. 
Dan  and  Idolatry  come  next  to  these  ; 
Who  nothing  but  the  gross  material  please. 
Next  Sylbon,  chieftain  of  Falacious  Pride, 
Sweeps  o'er  the  plain  and  looks  to  neither  side. 
And  then  Fanaticism,  chief  Balachi ; 
Religious  drunks  or  man-made  fakes  on  high. 
Then  next  Procrastination,  Jathon  chief : 
They  who  put  off,  then  wonder  why  their  grief 
Then  Negligence,  whose  lord  is  Actabod ; 
With  whom  neglect  has  grown  to  be  their  god. 
Next  Bonarue  with  Judging  passes  by ; 
Who  sentence  first,  then  prove  and  lastly  try. 
Forenzo,  chieftain  of  Oppression,  then 
Drives  in  review  with  his  subjected  men. 
And  then  Pauldemus,  lord  of  Castle  Doubt, 
Who  having  proof  still  questions  it  about. 
Next  Dumphrey,  chief  of  Mount  Saint  Egotism, 
Whose  text  is  'T,"  and  "I"  his  theme  and  rhythm. 
Then  Pedantry,  with  Roshen  in  command ; 
What  they  know  not  was  written  but  on  sand. 
Then  Prejudice.  Lord  Personesus'  state; 
Who  without  knowing  form  opinions  great. 
And  then  Duplicity,  whom  Orthon  leads; 
Who  flatters  first,  then  robs  and  lastly  bleeds. 
While  next,  the  last  of  local  carnal  bands, 
Is  caddish  Indolence,  whom  Doff  commands. 

Thus  pass  the  nether  troops  who  near  abide, 
But  close  to  them  the  foreign  monarchs  ride. 


38  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

First,  Scowlard  and  Illusion  Land  appear; 

Rodolphus'  state  of  holy  curse  and  fear. 

And  then  Bulander  and  his  Angry  state ; 

Who  fly  to  pieces  without  cause  for  hate. 

Next  Strybaris,  chieftain  of  the  Jealous  clan; 

Who  fancies  personal  wrongs  from  every  man. 

Then  Malice,  chiefed  by  Oxton.  forward  draws ; 

Who  loves  to  injure  others  without  cause. 

And  next  Eliphalet,  the  lord  of  Vice ; 

The  carnal  nation's  medium  to  entice. 

Close  follow  Montez  and  the  Timorous  lambs; 

Who  court  distinction  but  whom  meekness  damns. 

And  next  Obestes  of  Ingratitude; 

Who  forgets  those  who  labor  for  his  good. 

Then  chiefess  Niomis  of  Coquette's  clan; 

Impulsive  creatures  loved  by  silly  man. 

Then  Noami  and  Loveless  Woman's  state; 

Who  men  and  children,  home  and  labor  hate. 

Anxiety  is  next,  by  Quaken  led: 
With  peace  to-day,  the  morrow  racks  his  head. 
Next  Vanity  arrives  with  chief  Weo ; 
The  state  of  false  delight  and  idle  show. 
Sorrow  and  lord  Bensolus  next  appear ; 
The  carnal  grief,  of  lost-desire  and  fear. 
Then  Tyranny,  Malthedes  at  the  head; 
By  terror  born  and  nursed,  inspired  and  led. 
Then  Selfishness,  Romandaline  the  crown; 
Where  one  to  rise  must  crush  a  million  down. 
Next  Glaco,  lord  of  Melancholy  comes; 
Who,  shunning  reason,  deals  in  mental  scums. 
Submission  next,  by  Hyasaxton  led ; 
By  whom  all  sin  is  courted,  housed  and  fed. 

Tyburgas,  prefect  of  the  City  Lust, 
Wherein  abide  the  vicious  and  unjust. 


The  Rebellion'  of  Hell 


39 


Then  Guy:  his  wretched  legions  of  Desire, 
As  famished  wolves  on  prey,  to  lust  aspire. 
Adultery,  lord  Stravo's  army,  then; 
Where  men   forget  their  wives  and  wives  their 


men. 


Then  Fornication,  Zota  chief,  is  seen; 
The  single  rascals  of  that  traffic  mean. 
Polygamy,  chief  Desert,  next  appears; 
Who  raise  up  self  and  women  sink  in  tears. 
Next  Gluttony,  whose  chief  is  Polymore, 
Who  for  cash  down  has  every  vice  in  store. 
Then  Arrogance  comes,  with  Palops  at  the  head ; 
The  gutter  swine  for  Lust's  commanders  bred. 
Corruption  next ;  by  lord  Betamias  moved ; 
Who  see  that  statute  books  are  not  improved. 
Then  Sophronand,  the  chief  of  Lawless  Theft, 
Whose  victim  robbed  at  least  has  justice  left. 
Then  Scorparon,  of  Trusts  the  mighty  lord, 
Who  robs  beneath  the  law's  protecting  sword. 
Next  Parmley  and  his  Lawful  Pirates  reel; 
Who  preach  on  Sunday  and  on  Monday  steal 
Then  Speculation,  Goldred's  host,  is  nigh ; 
By  principle  they  covet,  cheat  and  lie. 
Next     Fondlan,     chief     of     Lawless     Gamblers 

rough ; 
Outlawed  because  they  do  not  steal  enough. 
Close  to  the  thugs  is  Bragdon,  lord  of  Cant, 
Their  vile  defender  and  their  sycophant. 

Janaquil  next;  the  Pessimistic  lord, 
Who  damns  perfection  and  who  damns  discord. 
Then  Hebron,  lord  of  Anarchy,  arrives; 
The  monster  who  on  butchered  justice  thrives. 
Autocracy,  czar  Beria's  state,  is  next ; 
Where  one  man  rules  and  slaughters  by  the  text. 


40  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Then  Murder  comes,  commanded  by  Bravoo, 
Whose  bloody  hands  from  mad  injustice  grew. 
Then  Despond,  Kibber  chief,  arrests  the  eye; 
With  hope  abandoned,  what  else,  but  to  die! 
And  then  Disease,  whom  Carnademus  leads; 
With  groaning  legions  and  with  coughing  steeds. 
And  last  Death's  army,  chiefed  by  Helomed; 
That  mighty  nation  of  departed  dead. 

The  carnal  troops  reviewed  return  to  camp, 
Where  night  soon  hides  the  day's  celestial  lamp, 
Where  chief  and  man  relax  in  sleep  profound, 
While  bawling  panthers  swarm  the  hills  around. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  41 


CANTO  THE  THIRD. 

Scouts  of  the  Spirit  State,  to  news  inclined, 
See  what  transpires  within  the  carnal  mind ; 
See  that  the  whole  of  God's  malignant  foe, 
Is  soon  against  the  heavenly  arms  to  go ; 
And  then  depart, — from  every  point  in  hell, 
Where  duty  them  had  ordered  late  to  dwell, 
O'er  chains  of  mountains,  through  the  deep  ra- 
vines. 
O'er  land  and  sea,  till  past  the  carnal  scenes, 
With     fabulous     speed,    the    nearest    trails    to 

choose, — 
Arrive  in  Heaven  and  spread  around  the  news. 

The  festival  of  peace  at  once  disbands. 
The  chiefs  depart  to  general  their  commands. 
The  men  themselves,  when  told  of  hell's  alarms, 
Rush  to  the  barracks  and  resume  their  arms  ; 
Line  up  for  march,  without  an  order  given ; — 
A  man  is  master  of  himself  in  Heaven. 

The  castle  reached,  the  scouts  throw  down  the 
rein, 
Leap   from  their  steeds  and  trumpet   war's  re- 
frain ; 
Then  rush  inside,  salute  and  tell  in  brief 
The   news    to    Clement,    Heaven's    commanding 
chief. 
That  great  and  perfect  nobleman  of  Love, 
Raised  by  his  own  unselfish  deeds  above; 


42  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

That  prince  of  Nature,  simple  and  refined, 
With  strength  to  do  whatever  task  assigned; 
That  mountain  of  endurance,  to  inspire, 
By  storm  unmoved,  though  Httle  men  retire; 
By  hardship  freshened  and  unknown  to  time ; 
Tall,  large  and  gentle  is  the  .chief  sublime. 

He  hears  the  news,  salutes  the  scouts  (they  go) 
Then  to  the  window  steps  and  looks  below ; 
And  ponders  thus :  ''Rodolphus,  priest  to  fear. 
United  hell  has  chosen  as  its  peer. 

0  well,  perhaps  their  choice  is  for  the  best ; 
But  what  a  cramped,  malignant  manifest! 
No  bigot  is  a  fit  thing  to  command, — 

1  fear  me,  carnal,  yours  is  fated  land. 

And  yet,  you  have  a  field  commander  there, 
In  Mideon  have  a  man  both  brave  and  fair. 
On  him  shall  rest  the  burden  of  the  fight, 
And  it  shall  heavy  be,  if  judge  I  right. 
'Twas  ever  so,  when  bigots  drunk  with  hate, 
Bring  on  a  war,  the  brave  must  bear  the  freight. 
That  manifest! — A  gross  fanatic's  deed — 
Shall  never  harm  my  child  nor  Villard  bleed. 
The  trumpets  sound !   I  must  to  war  begone ! 
Come  on,  O  hell !  if  fight  you  must,  come  on  1'* 

This  said,  he  threw  aside  his  civil  gown, 
Buckled  his  armor  and  his  helmet  on, 
To  Cassia  and  her  mother  bade  adieu. 
And,  taking  from  the  wall  his  arms,  withdrew. 

Outside,  far  ofl:  adown  the  boulevard, 
The  troops  are  lined  for  march  and  conflict  hard ; 
Divisioned  off  in  states,  and  each  replete 
With  various  arms,  well  disciplined  and  neat. 

Their  chief  appears,  ascends  his  chariot,  and 
Drives  down  the  boulevard  to  take  command. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  43 

The  men  hurrah;  all  know  and  love  him  well; 
They  feel  his  burden  and  through  plaudits  tell. 
He  knows  their  motive  is  his  lot  to  cheer, 
Bows  to  them  all  and  sheds  the  grateful  tear.. 

But  when  the  front  was  reached  he  met  delay ; 
Sir  Villard  halts  him  in  a  haughty  way : 
''Chief  Clement,  how  is  this !  late  prince  in  hell, 
I  now  am  ordered  in  your  ranks  to  dwell? 
How  is  it  there  is  no  command  for  me, 
A  chiefship,  or  at  least  a  captaincy? 
Injustice  rules.     An  educated  man, 
A  scholar  forced  to  serve  in  Spirit's  clan ; 
A  brother  to  the  nether's  ranking  chief 
(A  man,  though   skilled  in  arms,  of   schooling 

brief), 
Compelled  to  serve  when  station  bids  I  lead, 
Not  soil  my  hands  and  with  mere  soldiers  feed." 

To  which  the  chief:  "Sir  Villard,  how  is  it? 
Well,  simply  that  your  age  does  not  permit — 
For  one  thing;  and  another  is  that  you 
In  all  your  past  no  martial  weapon  drew. 
You  schooled  yourself,  and  that  was  proper,  still 
Your  books  unpractised  would  but  serve  you  ill. 
By  age  is  meant,  your  stay  in  Spirit  Mind; 
'Tis  very  brief — you  scarce  have  hell  resigned: 
Remember  that ;  and  this  one  thing  abide : 
In  Heaven  can  rise  no  man  possessed  of  pride; 
And  I  may  add,  ingratitude  and  caste : 
Possessed  of  these  no  man  (or  state)  can  last. 
Therefore,  presume  you  did  command  a  state: 
When   Mideon   charged,    'twould    meet   disaster 

great. 
O,  dare  not  once  compare  yourself  to  him. 
The  great  in  war,  although  of  carnal  grim; 


44  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Go  prove  your  worth,  a  tenth  his  virtues  prove, 
And     strength     itself     shall   you    to     greatness 
move !" 

This  said  in  manner  pleasant  to  inspire, 
Failed  of  its  purpose  as  the  two  retire; 
One  to  command,  the  other  to  the  ranks, 
Who  when  saluted  scorned  to  wave  his  thanks, 
Who  mumbled,  "I  shall  split  this  Fraud  apart," 
And  fell  in  line  with  treason  in  his  heart. 

The  chief  a  moment  tip-toed  in  his  car, 
Looked  o'er  his  armies  off  in  distance  far ; 
Then,  satisfied,  commanded :  "To  the  wall !" 
And  led  them  forth  to  challenge  carnal's  call. 
Reviezv  of  the  Spiritual   Troops. 

First  Genius,  Inspiration's  chief,  appears ; 
Heaven's  counsel,  to  inspire  and  banish  fears. 
Next  Love,  chief  Severn's  state,  succeeds  in  line ; 
The  consummation  of  all  things  divine. 
Then  Strength,  by  Tasias  led;  of  purpose  fast; 
With  power  to  concentrate  and  win  at  last. 
Stability,  chief  Zuff,  fills  next  the  street; 
The  state  of  giants,  strangers  to  defeat. 
Then  Liberality,  chief  Stevas'  charge; 
Of  mind  impartial  and  of  action  large. 
Tamaris  next,  the  prince  of  Gratitude; 
Who  honors  and  returns  each  service  good. 

Next  Harmony,  chief  Sumitar's  command; 
Where  discord  shrieking  falls  beneath  his  hand. 
Then  Virtue,  led  in  war  by  Dectarome; 
The  lasting  bond  of  Nature,  state  and  home. 
Succeeding  whom  is  Patience,  chiefed  by  Brend; 
Where  calm  devotion  triumphs  in  the  end. 
Then  Concentration,  led  by  Formeo ; 
Who  set  to  work  without  presumptuous  show. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  45 

Benevolence,  chief  Livachus,  is  next; 
With  love  for  all,  devoid  of  vain  pretext. 
Then  Charity,  prince  Zamba  in  command ; 
Who  give,  relieve,  with  both  the  heart  and  hand. 

Then  Mercy,  Rebin  chief,  oppression's   foe; 
Who  lift  the  burden  of  the  grieved  and  low. 
And  then  Fidelity,  prince  Truba  leads ; 
The    faithful    friends   of    helpful    thoughts   and 

deeds. 
And  next  is  Dion  and  the  state  True  Pride ; 
The  nobly  plain  who  let  their  works  decide. 
Next   Intellect   Divine,   prince   Landamore; 
The  literati  rich  in  Nature's  lore. 
Then  Equity,  chief  Stilvan  in  command; 
Where,  freed  from  statute  books,  all  equal  stand. 
Then  Piety,  prince  Luvanelus  leads ; 
Who  reverence  country,  home  and  noble  deeds. 

Then  chiefess  Cland  and  Beauty  issue  past; 
The  natural  sex — the  best,  the  first  and  last. 
Next  Fortitude,  the  prince  Savinium's  state ; 
Of  courage,  action  and  endurance  great. 
Then  Energy,  chief  Divrum,  fills  the  street; 
The  vigorous  arms  uncooled  by  action's  heat. 
Next  Optimism,  chief  Pacia,  comes  to  view; 
Whose  thoughts   are  ever  peaceful,  bright  and 

true. 
Next  Bandel  and  his  state  of  Judgment,  where 
By  reason  just  all  things  are  settled  fair. 
Then  Loyalty,  prince   Baltmore  in  command ; — 
W^hen  love  reigns,  people  by  their  leaders  stand. 
Humility  is  next,  prince  Zena's  state ; 
Who  know  their  worth  but  never  overrate. 

Prince  Lovedon's  army,  Modesty,  is  next; 
The  chaste  and  simple,  void  of  vain  pretext. 


46  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  then  Lunbusium's  state  of  Sacrifice; 
Who  win  by  immolating  earthly  vice. 
Next  Frenden  with  Affection's  forces  blest; 
With  love  for  all  the  righteous  and  oppressed. 
Chief  Warathon  and  Honor's  state  are  then; 
Who  justice  know  and  live  it  by  all  men. 
Next  Prudence,  Relaford's  command  sublime; 
Who,  to  avoid,  can  danger  see  in  time. 
Then  Homage,  Freon  prince,  arrests  the  view ; 
Who  despise  trash  and  tribute  pay  the  true. 

Next  Conavoy  and  Honest  Wealth,  uncursed; 
Not  great,  for  love  and  charity  are  first. 
Then  Labor's  army,  Trius  in  command; 
No  greedy  drone  subjects  this  noble  band. 
And  then  Good  Government,  chief  Chevaleers ; 
Where  Nature  followed,  brings  no  one  to  tears. 
Then  Moral  Courage ;  general  Lytheus  leads ; 
Through  storms  opposing  he  for  truth  proceeds. 
Then  Truth,  prince  Vistaro's  belov'd  command ; 
The  only  magistrate  in  Spirit  Land. 
And  Wisdom,  prince  Rodova,  next  we  view ; 
By  Nature  bred  in  all  things  good  and  true. 

Beaucaleon,  the  chief  of  Justice  then ; 
Who  having  wisdom  justly  deals  by  men. 
Then  Servaton,  the  prince  of  soothing  Hope; 
That  guiding  light  when  men  ascending  grope. 
Next  Progress,  led  by  chieftain  Landamore; 
The  foe  to  tyrants,  creeds  and  selfish  war. 
Then  Peace,  prince  Romba,  our  attention  draws; 
That  quiet  state  above  ambition's  claws. 
Then    Health,    chief    Vigatho's    command,    is 

seen, — 
A  sinless  mind  preserves  the  body  clean. 
And  last  is  Life,  prince  Justin's  army  great; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  47 

The  most  advanced  command  in  Spirit  State. 
Such  are  the  arms  and    chiefs    at    Heaven's 
command, 
Who  march  to  war  against  the  nether  land; 
Who  now  line  up  for  action  on  the  Wall, 
On  the  defense — as  night  envelopes  all. 


48  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 


CANTO  THE  FOURTH. 

Now,   when   the   weary   night   her   work   had 
done, 
Had  o'er  a  mountain  beckoned  to  the  sun, 
Had   kissed  the  dawn  and  slowly  crept  to  bed, 
As  tranquil  day  upraised  his  lovely  head, 
When  all  was  peace  the  carnal  troops  arose, 
Eager  with  Spirit  arms  their  own  to  close. 
Chief    Mideon    mounted    soon    resumes    com- 
mand, 
To  lead  them  out  toward  the  desert  land. 
Now  through  the  forest,  then  a  deep  ravine, 
Then  o'er  the  plains  his  blazing  arms  are  seen 
Dressed  justly  in  a  heavy  suit  of  mail. 
Of  no  pretense,  of  features  strong  and  hale. 
With   bare   arms   scarred,   is   carnal's   dauntless 

son, 
W^ithout  a  guard  and  with  attendants  none. 

Rodolphus  in  the  rear  is  driv'n  along. 
Secured   from  danger  by  an  army  strong ; 
A  legion  to  surround  him  through  the  fight. 
While  he  the  troops   with  murderous  thoughts 

incite. 
His  coat-of-mail  is  covered  with  a  gown, 
And   "Vengeance  is  Mine"   is  blazed  upon   his 
crown. 
The  desert  reached  the  forces  halt,  and  then 
The  chiefs  await  the  word  to  line  their  men. 


The  Rebellion'  of  Hell 


49 


The  general  pondering  silent  sat  his  horse, 

A   moment     thus     then     rearward     spurred     its 
course, — 

Straight  to  the  chariot  of  Rodolphus  sped, 

And,  him  sahiting.   for  a  purpose  said : 
'*My  lord,  the  chiefs  the  final  word  await. 

Shall  I  lead  oflf  against  the  Spirit  State? 

Shall  we  en  masse  at  once  attack  the  Wall? 

Or  should  we  something  else  do  first  of  all? 
To    which   the   counsel   chief:    "No,   nothing, 
no ! 

Straightway  direct  your  arms  against  the  Foe. 

But  in  that  last  I  can  no  meaning  see. 

Why,     Mideon,     thus     slow-measured     question 
me?" 
The  chief:    "Because  the  Spirit  State  is  just, 

Is  nobly  fair  in  every  martial  thrust : 

And,  therefore,  should  be  met  in  council  first, 

Not  jumped  upon  as  some  vile  thing  accurst. 
Uncommon  too  is  Clement,  chief  and  man, 
In  whom  one  fails  the  smallest  fault  to  scan; 
Who  when  afield  is  master  of  his  mind, 
Collected,    keen,    imperative   but   kind. 
We  oft  have  met  in  war,  so  when  I  say. 
He  stands  my  most  respected   foe  to-day, 
The  truth  is  said;  a  chief  of  tactics  clean, 
A  man  whose  equal  I  have  never  seen. 
With  rank  of  Spirit  or  of  carnal  lord, 
I  care  not  which,  he  wields  a  faultless  sw^ord; 
Meets  at  all  times  his  adversary's  thrust, 
Proves  the  true  hero — calm,  untiring,  just. 
So  pray,   Rodolphus,   hold !   postpone  the   fight 
Till    we    to    council    Spirit's    chief    invite; 
All  issues  of  the  war  before  him  lay, 


50  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Like  soldiers,  just  respect  to  soldiers  payf^ 
Rodolphus     thus:      ''What      sentiment      has 
youth ! 

To  praise  an  evil  as  we  praise  a  truth. 

A  snake  because  it  rattle,  hiss  and  bite, 

Will  youth  its  bravery  for  a  moral  cite. 

Now,    that    this    human    reptile,    throned    and 
crowned 

(Whose  proselytes,   whose  minions,   fiends    un- 
bound, 

Behind  yon  Rampart  watch  with  ready  bow) 

In  war  is  brave  you  wish  me  homage  show. 

But,  sir,  this  reptile  shall  not  such  receive; 

He  straight  of  life  must  take  a  felon's  leave. 

Think  not  Rodolphus,  priest  to  god  of  fear, 

Would  sink  so  low  as  this  imposter  hear; 

With  such  as  he  no  terms  of  war  I  treat; 

Arms  only  shall  the  arch-corrupter  meet!" 
Then  Mideon  thus   (to  test  the  sage's  nerve, 

And  gain,  perhaps,   what  Clement's  troops   de- 
serve) : 

"Rodolphus  never  has  been  on  the  field, 

WHien  Spirit  arms  and  ours  were  shield  to  shield ; 

Therefore,  'twere  wise  he  heed  a  youthful  lord, 

One   who   with   Clement    oft    has    crossed   the 
sword. 

Though     but    a    youth    whom    "snakes"    have 
morals  taught, 

I  know  some  things  your  aged  mind  does  not; 

I  know  an  army   from  a  coward-band, 

Be  it  in  Vengeance,  Fear  or  Spirit  Land. 

My  place  has  ever  been  upon  the  field. 

And  every  nation  has  opposed  my  shield; 

And  every  one  (save  one)  has  met  defeat, 


The  Rp:bellion  of  Hell  51 

And  bleeding  beg,'2:ed  the  privilege  of  retreat. 
The  one  unconquered,  needless  to  relate, 
Is  this  same  Clement's  well  conducted   State. 
These   Spirits   know   their   arms   and  use   them 

well : 
IMark  me,  they  strike  not  lest  they  strike  to  tell; 
Mow  down  the  foeman  as  the  reaper  hay, 
And  on  the  field  from  dawn  till  midnight  stay. 
You  now  command  me,  muster  for  a  charge — 
To  do  this  I  need  all  my  army  large ; 
Therefore,  sir  chief,  your  body-guard  of  Hate, 
Must  with  the  rest  move  on  the  Spirit  State." 

This    said    he    scanned    the    sage's    features 
hard, 
Then  turned  and  hailed  the  general  of  the  guard. 

Rodolphus   quick:     ''Young    man,    one    mo- 
ment, stay! 
Must  this  my  legion-b(3dy-guard  away? 
Are  not  there  troops  sufficient  to  sustain 
You    through    the    siege    without    my    meagre 

train  ? 
Yes,   yes !   a   council  you   had  better   call. 
Invite  the  Spirit  chief,  and  settle  all 
(If  possible  without  destructive  war)  : 
A   full   surrender  now  and  ever  more ; 
With  the  return  of  Mllard ;  and  a  trial 
For  Cassia,  judged  by  me  in  reverent  style. 
So  haste,  my  son !  I  give  you  power  to  act, 
And  know  this  business  you  will  w^ell  transact." 

His   object   gained,    the    chief    reversed    his 
steed. 
And  for  the  front  rode  off  at  highest  speed. 
A  mounted  scout  dispatched  to  Clement's  walls, 
Trumpets  an  air  which  echoes  as  it  falls. 


52  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Swiftly  he  rides,  the  flag  of  truce  in  hand, 
As  rise  around  him  clouds  of  desert  sand. 
The  wall  approached,  again  resounds  the  air, 
Troops  meet  the  scout  and    past    the    rampart 

bear ; 
As  inside  and  without  the  walled  Estate, 
All  wondering  watch  in  expectation  great. 

Not   long   they   thus    ere    Clement    mounted 
well, 
Is  seen  to  pass  the  Rampart  into  hell. 
Alone  he  comes,  so  carnal's  chief  alone 
Toward   him   goes — an   equal   homage   shown. 
The  two  commanders  meet  upon  the  waste, 
Salute  and  side  by  side  proceed  in  haste, 
Beneath  a  solitary  tree  alight, 
And  stand  in  council  o'er  the  brewing  fight. 

First  Mideon    spoke:     "My    most    respected 
foe: — 
Why  we  have  met  it  needs  not  me  to  show. 
You  stand  aware  the  states  of  carnal  mind 
Against  the  Spirit  have  their  arms  combined. 
But,  sir,  without  at  first  informing  you, 
I  could  not,  would  not,  an  attack  pursue. 
This,  with  a  deep  respect  for  one  so  brave, 
Forced  me  the  battle  for  the  present  waive, 
And  to  just  council  hail  my  honored  foe. 
That  he  might  both  our  cause  and  object  know 
(Both  which  you  doubtless  know  in  every  line, 
But,  Clement,  that  is  your  affair,  not  mine)  ; 
That  he  from  me  this  cause  and  object  learn; 
And  so,  perhaps,  to  peace  these  troubles  turn." 

To   which   the    Spirit    chief    (his    thoughtful 
eye 
Observes  the  foe  with  admiration  high)  : 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  53 

"My  compliments,  sir  chief;  accept  my  thanks; 
One  man,  at  least,  commands  the  carnal  ranks. 
(The  other — well — 'twere  better  he  resign; 
But,  Mideon,  that  is  your  affair,  not  mine)  : 
Long  ere  I  fought  you  you  received  my  praise, 
For  strength,   for  courage,   for  unbiased  ways ; 
And  later,  when  in  war  we  crossed  the  steel. 
To  fight  you  always  made  me  flattered   feel ; — 
But  all  this  withers  as  an  autumn  flower. 
When  I  behold  in  peace  your  grander  power. 
Yet.  if  niy  scouts  the  truthful  news  obtained, 
I  doubt  if  any  good  will  here  be  gained; 
Still  let  me  hear  what  you  would  please  to  say, 
Peace    then    perhaps    will    crown    this    doubtful 
day.'' 

The    nether    chief;     ''The    carnal    lord    de- 
mands ; 
That  Mllard  be  delivered  to  his  hands  ; 
That  he  the  princess  try  for  various  harms; 
And  that  the  Love  Empire  surrender  arms. 
Observe  my  ranks,  ten  times  your    count,    and 

more ; 
Then  answer.  Clement,  whether  peace  or  war." 

His      answer      was      direct ;      "  'Tis      clearly 
shown. 
Your  troops  in  numbers   far  exceed  my  own ; 
More  than  ten  times  my  total  yonder  stand, 
To  fight  me  waiting  but  their  chief's  command. 
Yet  this  great  army  massed  on  carnal's  field, 
Is  not  conclusive  that  I  now  must  yield. 
And  to  give  Cassia  to  your  bigot  vile. 
To  stand,   for  no  offense,  a  partial  trial, 
Would  be  with  virtue  feeding  gluttonous  vice ; 
Such  peace  is  worse  than  war's  great  sacrifice. 


54  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  soldier  real,  is  willing  to  defend 

His  nation,  home  and  loved  ones  to  the  end; 

Willing  to   fight,  defying  all  retreat, 

To  stand  his  ground  till  victory  or  defeat! 

No  more  shall  Villard  ease  that  bigot's  smart. 

Than  Cassia,  lovely  daughter  of  my  heart. 

Therefore,  but  one  course  have  I  to  pursue, 

The  last  named  option,  to  combat  with  you." 

Then  Mideon,  speaking,  to  his  charger  goes; 
''This  council,  then,  sir  chief,  is  at  a  close. 
You     choose     to     fight — that     also     would     I 

choose ; — 
A  man  would  rather  life  than  honor  lose. 
I  feel  my  conscience  shall  not  now  rebel; 
My  duty  t'ward  the  brave  is  done.     Farewell." 

He  said  and  in  the  stirrup  placed  his  foot; 
Then  pointing  Heavenward   spoke  in  language 

mute: 
'Till  you  are  safe,   from  carnal's  clutch  away, 
To  guard  you,  here  twixt  Heaven  and  hell,  I 
stay." 
Chief  Clement  understood  and  thus  replied: 
"Your  honor  ever  shall  with  me  abide. 
When  I  was  asked  to  leave  the  Spirit  Land, 
To  visit  hell,  her  legions  close  at  hand, 
I  would  have  scorned  to  quit  my  battlement, 
Had  any  man  save  you  that  summons  sent ; 
But  Mideon's  word,  as  good  as  walls  of  stone. 
Was  guard  enough,  and  so  I  came — alone ;  / 
Knowing  whatever  from  this  tryst  arose, 
That  word  protected  me  against  my   foes.    • 
I  preach  not,  but  your  place  is  not  in  hell. 
(He  mounts  his  steed).     My  noble   foe,   fare- 
well." 


The  Rebelliox  of  Hell  55 

He    then    for    Heaven    departs,    as    Mideon, 
tall, 
Most   stately   still,   stands    guard    till    past    the 

Wall ; 
And  then  he,  too,  forsakes  the  council  plains. 
Throughout  both  camps  an  awful  silence  reigns. 

And  now,  O  Muse,  celestial  Wisdom,  guide! 
With  me,  thy  servant,  through  this  war  abide; 
My  pen  direct  in  Truth's  unbiased  sphere; 
My  verse  make  pleasing  and  my  reason  clear. 

When  Mideon  had  returned,  he  summoned 
all 
His  chiefs  around  him  for  the  final  call : 
*'The  Love-commander  stands  for  war  alone; 
He  scorns,  and  justly,  to  give  up  his  own. 
So  haste,  form  lines  of  each  your  native  charge, 
In  close   battalions   spread   for  action   large. 
Let  each  advanced-guard,  flank  and  body-main, 
With  weapons  drawn,  proceed  along  the  plain; 
Behind,  between,  on  every  side,  withal. 
Let  engines  belch  their  issue  to  the  Wall. 
Let  them,  their  powerful  missiles,  tear  at  start 
The  stone  construction  of  the  Mind's  Rampart. 
This  done,  the  bows  and  javelins  hasten  in, 
They  man  to  man  the  battle  to  begin. 
And  when  they  have  secured  sufficient  way, 
Advance  at  once  your  heavy-infantry. 
Then  side  by  side,  abreast  the  common  foe. 
Let  every  sword  and  axe  effect  its  blow. 
And  above  all  keep  well  these  forces  lined 
With  powerful  rear-guards,  for  attacks  behind. 

**Upon  the   field  arrange   from   left  to   right, 
Your  troops  as  they  were  gathered  yesternight, 


56  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

When    (^when    the    business    of    the    day    was 

through ) 
Each  state  remained  as  in  the  grand  review. 
Hence  Excess  shall  command  the  leftward  wing, 
And  so  on  down  shall  each  his  forces  bring; 
Illusion  Land  shall  from  the  center  fight, 
And  Death,  the  last  division,  guard  the  right. 

"Let  each  of  each  his  legions  form,  of  course, 
An  army  full  of  infantry  and  horse; 
Creating  each  of  them  ten  thousand  sound, 
One  mounted  troop   for  every  ten  aground. 
Spread  out  each  legion  into  columns  three: 
The  first  of  youth  who  most  ambitious  be; 
The  next  let  middle  age  predominate, 
And  last  the  veterans  scarred,  of  honors  great. 

**And  when  the  cavalry  you  scatter  loose, 
Consign   it   duty  of  the   largest  use: 
With    it    support   and   cover   well   your    main, 
Flankers  and  guardsmen,  skirmishers  and  train; 
Also  break  through  our  enemy's  command. 
Strike  and  disorder  him  on  every  hand. 
Observe  this  edict  well  and  well  obey. 
And  now  to  arms !  to  arms !  without  delay." 

He  waved  his  sword,  this  last  to  emphasize, 
And  they  rode  off,  their  troops  to  mobilize. 
And  then  he  leaps  aground,  to  rest  his  horse. 
To  ponder  long  upon  the  battle's  course ; 
Bowed  in  deep  thought    an    hour    unmoved    to 

stand. 
In  patience  waiting  for  his  great  command. 

The  chiefs  arrange  in  haste  their  armies  large. 
According  to  instructions,  for  the  charge. 
They  ride  around,  their  captains  to  direct, 
To  choose  positions  and  mistakes  correct. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  57 

And  thus  they  labor  till  their  task  is  done. 
Tis  morning  still,  but  torrid  is  the  sun. 

The  trumpets  sound — 'tis  battle's  signal  call — 
Great  carnal  moves  against  the  Spirit  Wall — 
The  battle  starts.     The  sin-united  state, 
Attacks  in  fury  Love's  dominion  great. 
Missile  on  missile   from  the  engines  fly. 
To  shattering  strike  or  clear  the  rampart  high, 
Without  result.     The  chiefs  their  archers  call ; 
These,   while   the   engines    strike,   to    sweep   the 

wall. 
Then  far  along  to  leftward  and  to  right 
Unnumbered  arrows  interchange  in  fight. 

Love's  army,  quick  to  battle  hell's  attack, 
With  deadly  force,  with  arrows  answer  back 
Cry  upon  cry  ascends  from  those  below. 
Those  whom  the  shafts  reduce  to  mortal  woe; 
Who  gasp  for  life ;  but  hating  life's  Domain, 
The  Spirit  State,  they  perish  on  the  plain. 

Straight  to  the   foremost  ranks  chief  Mideon 

rode, 

While  round  him  engines  at  the  Wall  explode. 

"Strike,  sons  of  carnal,  strike!"  he  orders  loud  ; 

"Let    all    your    strength    against    the    Rampart 

crowd. 
Turn  every  engine  in  your  service  loose, 
While  archers  guard  them  from  the  foe's  abuse. 
Behold  great  Monden,  Hatred's  dauntless  chief, 
Right  in  the  face  of  battle's  slaughtering  grief, 
Advance  his  men  upon  the  destined  prize — 
But  go!  assist  him  else  his  army  dies. 
Attack!  attack!  O  chiefs,  each  one  and  all — 
Quick,    force    a     passage    through     the    Spirit 
Wall— 


58  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Let  all  your  strength  for  that  effect  be  placed — 
Naught  can  be  done  until  it  lies  in  waste!" 
This  said  he  vanished  midst  his  armored  host, 
To  help,  wherever  help  was  needed  most. 

"Ye  sons  of  Hatred !"  Monden  thus,  ''O  stand ! 
Ye  braves  of  carnal,  strongest  in  command; 
Stand  or  advance  but  never  rearward  move. 
Yield  not  an  atom  to  the  chief  of  Love. 
He  yonder  hides,  but  Hate's  destroying  might 
His  wall  shall  crush  and  force  him  to  the  sight. 
Love  Hatred's  pressure  can  not  long  endure, 
So  we  shall   soon  a  passage  there  procure. 
Think  not  of  arrows,  nor  of  blood  that  flows;- — 
Hate  with  reverses  but  more  hateful  grows !" 

This  them  inspires.     They  straight  beset  the 
Wall, 
As  hundreds  of  them  shrieking,  dying  fall. 
Volley  on  volley  rakes  the  rampart's  top, 
And  Spirit  answering,  shafts  and  missiles  drop. 
Both   sides   with   archers    skilled    and    engines 

great, 
Thus  on  each  other  with  disaster  wait; 
But  with  those  odds  against  the  Hatred  band. 
Which   Love's   superior   ranks,   and   Wall   com- 
mand. 

To  Hate's  relief  proud   Bigotry  arrives, 
And  blindly  in  the  jaws  of  battle  dives;       "^ 
To  left,  to  right,  they  group  upon  the  plain. 
And  with  the  hateful  mix  their  arms  and  pain. 

Their  chief  Perenus  thus  to  his  command : 
"Strike  down  the  Wall !  to    death    send    Spirit 

Land; 
That  Clement  conquer — beat  the  tyrant  down, 
Divest  him  of  his  Empire,  throne  and  crown. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  59 

We  fight  for  justice  and  the  truthful  creed; 
To  further  them  all  enemies  must  bleed. 
On,  brothers,  on !  these  truth-pretenders'  Wall — 
O!  men  of  truth — shall  soon  before  us  fall; 
It  can  not  long  endure  our  godly  zeal; — 
We  right  are  always,  never   shall  we  kneel!" 

They,   while  these   words  receive  a  loud   ap- 
plause, 
Past  Hatred  rush,  alone  to  fight  the  cause. 
Soon  Anger,  Malice,  Vice,  and  Envy's  state, 
Unite  with  them  against  the  Rampart  great. 
Their  engines  at  one  common  point  discharge ; — 
The  Wall  but  trembles  from  this  action  large; 
It  is  not  weakened — it  in  wholeness  stands, 
The  pride  of  Love,  the  curse    of    hell's    com- 
mands. 

Chief  Mideon  sees  these  forces  meet  defeat. 
Then  orders  up  his  whole  command  complete; 
Collects  them  in  the  smallest  space — yet  large; 
The  engines  close;  then  all  united  charge. 
Out-shoots    the    loads,    which,    with    an    awful 

crash. 
The  Rampart  strike,  and  then  to  atoms  smash. 
Cheers  upon  cheers  come  echoing  from  the  Wall. 
The  shattered  shot  upon  its  authors  fall. 
Their  shrieks  unnumbered  in  a  volume  rise, 
And  as  the  thunders  rumble  through  the  skies. 

Repulsed,     but     undismayed,     chief     Mideon 
spake : 
"Back,  sons  of  carnal,  back!  of  rest  partake. 
'Tis  but  the  first  reverse  we  here  have  met; 
'Tis  but  to  prove  us,  we  shall  conquer  yet. 
We  nothing  care   for  conquest  simply  won, 
Unworthy  it  of  battle's  dauntless  son; 


6o  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Quick-purchased  fame  of  greatness  is  no  sign, 
Victory  is  sweetest  when  'tis  steeped  in  brine!" 

At  this  command  they  backward    from    the 
Wall, 
In  great  confusion  and  dejection,  fall; 
When  out  of  reach  of  their  opponents'  fire. 
To  halt  and  mix  their  speech  and  spleenful  ire. 

"What  bald-faced  nonsense!"  thus  the  prince 
of  Doubt; 
"What  useless  warfare  are  we  here  about; 
The  Wall  can  not  be  downed  by  any  force. 
Crush  it  we  can  not,  we  have  run  our  course ; 
Our  troops  in  union  joined  have  tried  and  lost. 
Have   strewn  the  plain  with  death  at  carnal's 
cost!" 

"Pauldemus,  hush!   cease  thou  this   doubtful 
speech ! 
Wouldst,    sir,    base    treason    to    thy    comrades 

preach  ?" 
So  spake  Bulander,  Anger's  ranking  chief; 
And  then  at  large  continued  thus  in  brief: 
"This  monstrous  Clement,  how    he    stings    the 

brain ! 
O,  that  I  could  but  meet  him  on  the  plain! 
I  would  of  him  a  toothsome  dinner  make. 
Drink  of  his  blood  and  of  his  flesh  partake!" 

"But,  sir,  be  frank,"  thus  Envy's  chief,  Rebalt; 
"Our  failure  to  procure  him  was  your  fault. 
With  mine  your  troops  conflicted,  hence  defeat; 
Next  time  know  better  than  position  cheat." 

"Rascal,  you  He!"  Bulander  thus  enraged; 
"I  robbed  you  not,  apart  my  troops  engaged; 
Their  own  position  kept  the  battle  through, 
And  did  not,  liar,  much  as  notice  you! 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  6i 

You  grudging  mouthpiece  of  a  grudging  cult, 
Draw  and   defend — I  challenge  this   insult!" 

At  this  both  generals  draw  their  swords,  and 
fight; 
As  those  around  observe  with  mad  delight. 
Anger,   aggressive  but  of   reason   void, 
His  mind-burnt  passions  with  his  steel  alloyed. 
Leaped   forward  tiger-like  abreast  his   foe, 
And  without  judgment  wielded  blow  on  blow. 
But  sly  and  cautious  Envy,  on  his  guard, 
Made     fewer    thrusts,    and    all    his     foe's     de- 
barred ; — 
He  with  observant  eyes  his  turn  awaits, 
By  craft  not  force  the  final  outcome  rates. 
At  length  his  foe  through  great  exertion  tires; 
W'eaker  becomes  his  sword  and  mental  fires. 
He  becomes  dizzy,  mist  beclouds  his  eyes; 
He  staggering  falls — the  prey  to  Envy  lies. 

The  victor,  warmed  by  plaudits  of  delight. 
To  silence  once  for  all  the  fallen  knight, 
A  foot  placed  on  the  bosom  of  his  foe. 
And  raised  his  sword  to  deal  the  fatal  blow. 

"Hold,  Envy,  hold !  slay  not  a  fallen  man, 
To  heap  disgrace  upon  thyself  and  clan!" 
So  spake  the  chief  of  Excess,  as  his  sword. 
To  restore  peace,  clinched  that  of  Envy's  lord. 

But  he  (the  latter),  thirsting  for  his  prey. 
Roared :  "Festus,  this  concerns  you  not,  away ! 
What  I  have  won  in  combat  is  my  care, 
Hence  you,  sir,  and  the  rest  around,  beware!" 

This  said,  he  battles  off  the  former's  sword, 
And  tries  again  to  murder  Anger's  lord; 
But  Festus  foils  him.    Then  his  passions  turn: 
Their  swords  conflict  and  like  electrics  burn. 


62  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Envy  attempts  to  deal  a  mortal  blow, 
While  Excess  trys  to  but  disarm  his  foe. 

The  latter,  portly  yet  with  strength  of  youth, 
Possessed  of  certain  noble  traits  of  truth, 
At  length  disarms  his  man  and  backward  sends. 
Then  rushes  to  him  and  his  hands  extends. 

"Rebalt,   my   neighbor,   wouldst  thou   be   my 
foe? 
Wouldst  kill  thou  me,  thy  friend  in  every  woe? 
Who  shares  thy  pleasant  days  with  pleasure  less 
Than  those  of  sorrow,  pain  or  wretchedness? 
Is  this  attempt  to  slay  a  faithful  friend 
The  best  affection  that  thou  canst  extend?" 

Rebalt  glanced  once  within  his  neighbor's  eyes, 
Saw  written  there  deep  sorrow  and  surprise. 
Then  grasped  his  hands  and  said:  ''Most  noble 

chief. 
Accept  my  pardon  and  forget  this  grief." 

"Go  raise  the  comrade  whom  you  late  would 
kill, 
Then  you  my  pardon  have  and  my  good  will :" 
Rejoins  the  diplomat,  as  smiles  erase 
The  erst-while  sorrow  from  his  pleasant  face. 

No  sooner  said  than  done;  relieved  of  pride, 
Rebalt   advances  to  the   sufferer's   side. 
Administers  a  drug,  which  serves  its  cause. 
And  raises  him  amidst  the  crowd's  applause. 

Mideon,  returning  from  a  grove  afar, 
Where  he  had  gone  to  meditate  on  war, 
Observes,  and  learning  of  its  object  grand, 
Leaps   from  his   steed   and    wrings    the    hero's 

hand ; 
And :  "Bravo !  bravo !  peace-respecting  knight. 
Thou  hast  from  dusk  restored  the  radiant  light! 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  63 

When  carnal  breaks  the  covenant  of  peace, 
Herself  attacks,  her  powers  to  govern  cease. 
She  must  united  war  the  Common  Foe — 
Here  Hes  her  glory,  in  all  else  her  woe, 
Time  w^as  she  could  engage  in  civil  war, 
But  ah,  alas !  that  time  shall  be  no  more. 
Love's  Empire  now  shall  never  know  defeat. 
Unless  we  stand  in  peace  in  strength  complete. 
Hence,  Festus,  thou  hast  done  a  service  grand, 
By  peace  restoring,  saved  the  nether  land. 
I  pledge  the  hero,  but  I  touch  not  wine: 
My  thanks,  my  gratitude,  be  ever  thine!" 

He  then  re-mounts  and  orders :  'To  the  Wall ; 
Attempt  again  to  bring  about  its  fall!" 
And  leads  them  forth  to  make  a  second  trial, 
Strung  out  in  colmuns  of  the  legion  style. 

Soon  war  and  carnage  sweep  the  fields  again, 
Deafening  the  din,  and  loud  the  cry  of  men. 
Like  thunder  rumbles  forth  the  carnal  ire, 
Like  thunder  rumbles  back  the  Spirit  fire. 
Both     sides     engage     their     whole     combating 

strenth. 
Maintain  their  ground  and  battle  on  at  length. 
Each  chief  commands  his  men  with  rigid  force, 
And  wavers  not  in  his  intended  course; 
Draws  up  his  lines  to  their  advantage  best, 
Grows  warm  in  action  and  denies  all  rest. 

Upon  the  plains  before  the  stubborn  Wall 
Repose  the  dead  in  blood's  disheartening  pall; 
With  this  besmeared    and    sickening    scene    of 

death. 
The  wounded  mingle  their  expiring  breath. 
Some  with  their  limbs  dismembered  at  the  pit. 
And  some  with  stomachs  to  the  vitals  slit; 


64  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Some  with  their  entrails  shredded  on  the  ground, 
And  some  by  javeHns  struck  to  earth  and  bound. 
Some   without   crown   and   with   the   brain   ex- 
posed, 
Await  their  doom  by  agony  enclosed. 
Some    bite    the    sand    and    mad-like    think    it 

sweet ; — 
Water  and  sand  are  one  in  fever's  heat. 

Knights  rise  upon  their  fast  declining  joints. 
Embrace  their  swords  and  perish  by  the  points; 
While  others  to  their  able  comrades  cry: 
"O  lend  the  welcome  sword  that  we  may  die!" 
One  wretch  arises  feebly  to  his  knees, 
A      chieftain's      scabbard      grasps,      imploring 

"please!" 
Him  thus  addressed  by  pity  moved  consents; 
One  blow  the  sufferer's  head  and  body  rents. 
Another  wretch  with  effort  gains  his  feet. 
And  staggers  forth  a  flying  lance  to  meet ; 
And  one  possessing  but  the  strength  to  crawl, 
Seeks  out  a  horse's  hoof  to  silence  all. 
Thousands  attend  the  rattle  of  release, 
Which  takes  them  yonder  to  the  doubtful  peace; 
All  those  who  can  dispatch  their  mortal  breath, 
But  those  too  weak,  in  torture  wait  for  death. 

Afoot  in  terror  and  aground  is  pain, 
Death,  chaos,  murder  and  destruction  reign. 
Clouds  fill  the  skies  and  thunder  shakes  the  air, 
Fierce  blasts  of  lightning  through  the  mountains 

tear ; 
Torrents  of  scalding  rain  the  fields  attend, 
And  to  the  heavens  great  balls  of  steam  ascend. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  65 


CANTO  THE  FIFTH. 

'Tis  in  this  state  that  crowding  darkness  finds, 
At  close  of  day,  the  two  combating  minds. 
Drenched  to  the  skin,  through  blood-bespattered 

mires, 
Carnal  to  camp  till  break  of  day  retires. 
Heaven's  forces  watch  the  last  retreating  foe, 
Till  lost  in  darkness,  then  in  quarters  go  ; 
There  to  remain  till  summoned  forth  again, 
To  meet  in  battle  hell's  belligerent  men. 

While  they  partook  of  rest,  the  state  of  Life 
For  Spirit  labored  on  the  Wall  of  strife. 
Prince  Justin  as  he  down  the  Rampart  walked, 
In  slow  and  meditative  manner  talked : 

"When  hell  delivers  us  her  poisonous  breath — 
Hate,  envy,  vengeance,  fear,  disease  and  death; 
And  all  else  wicked  that  her  kind  create — 
She  harms  us  not,  but  stronger  makes  our  State. 
The  tried-and-proven  stand  uninjured,  well; 
None  but  the  novice  can  succumb  to  hell. 
She  soft  spots  shows  beneath  the  rosy  skin, 
To  bring  to  light  all  weakness  from  within; 
But  gouges  only  what  she  rotten  finds^ 
Not  once  attends  the  culling  of  true  minds. 
So  these  good  men,    brave    champions    of    the 

Truth, 
Who  fell  in  battle,  are  but  Spirit's  youth; 
Beginners  in  the  Life  which  never  ends, 


(i(y  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Which  never  stagnates,  which    each    hour    as- 
cends. 
They  fell  for  want  of  battle's  seasoned  growth, 
They    shielded    not    themselves    from    missiles 

loath ; 
Nor  did  they  use  their  arms  as  soldiers  proved, 
Who  firing  once,  that  aimed  at  is  removed. 
Their  want  of  age  did  their  soft  spots  reveal, 
Hence,  in  their  case,  thrice  blest  is  carnal's  steel. 
The  bad  removed,  there  tarries  naught  of  hell. 
Vanish,   O   pain!   O   death!    Love's   troops   are 
well. 
These  words    reclosed    each     cold    or    fatal 
wound, 
Limbs  torn  away  to  their  own  bodies  bound, 
Members  all  shattered  knit  to  perfect  makes, — 
In  brief,  each  troop  to  happy  life  awakes. 

They  them  depart,  with  words  of  gratitude. 
To  join  their  various  states  for  service  good. 
Soon  Justin  also  leaves,  and  quiet  reigns, — 
In  Heaven  but  not  upon  the  carnal  plains. 
There  Death  is  working  with  his  strange  com- 
mand. 
Amidst  the  fallen  of  the  carnal  land. 

Chief  Helomed  is  heard:  ''A  glorious  day! 
Death's  glory  earned  you,  and  your  fame  shall 

stay. 
'Tis  grand  to  perish  on  the  plain  of  woe. 
And  bowed  with  honors  to  Death's  kingdom  go ; 
To  here  sojourn  from  all  life's  shackles  free. 
No  more  to  drift  abreast  the  shoreless  sea; — 
The  sea  of  systems,  built  for  only  greed. 
The  few  who  reign,  but  which  the  masses  bleed ; 
Those  of  the  law,  that  nom  de  plume  for  fraud, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  ^ 

Those  of  the  church,  that  mockery  of  God, 

Those  of  the  party,  loafers  paid  to  He, 

Those  of  society,  the  rogues  on  high. 

With  naught  to    do    with    these,    base    earthly 

strife, 
O  what  a  joy  to  quit  this  mortal  life! 
And,  in  these  days  of  systems,  sin  and  crape, 
How  many  do  the  mammon  god  escape? 
Some  think  they  do,  and  go  so  far  to  say : 
*We  have  advanced  beyond  medieval  day; 
'Have  liberal  thought  religious  to  sustain, 
'Remove  all  evil,  make  the  nations  plain ; 
'Have  now  a  just  impersonal  god  of  love, 
'Have  become  perfect  and  advanced  above/ 
That  sounds  correct,  but  Love  is  not  for  creeds. 
They  started  well,  then  grew,  now  dollar  leads. 
First  Truth,  then  power,  then  rottenness  again; 
So  revolves  every  system  built  by  men. 
Hence,  thou  art  here,  or  woman,  man  or  saint, 
In  hell,  vain    creature,    stripped    of    righteous 
paint." 

He  pondered  thus  while  with  his  large  com- 
mand, 
He  worked  upon  the  dead  of  carnal  land; 
Removing  armor  and  all  outward  ware, 
To  leave  upon  the  waste  the  bodies  bare. 
This  done  a  whistle  brings  upon  the  plain, 
Long-idle  panthers  starved  and  wild  for  gain; 
Which  fall  upon  the  leavings  of  the  war. 
Devour  their  flesh  and  lap  their  clammy  gore, 
Their  bones  to  atoms  splinter  round  about, 
Or  bury,  in  the  future  to  dig  out. 

This  feast  concluded,  spoke  chief  Helomed: 
"Come  forth,  O  shades,  and  join  the  army  dead; 


68  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Come  forth  and  your  inheritance  possess, 
Come,  join  the  hosts  of  peaceful  nothingness." 
And  straight  they  come,  ten-thousand  shades 
and  more, 
Forever  free   from  bigots'  bloody  war. 
The  chieftain   then    commands    the    panthers: 

"Go!" 
And  they  reluctant,  growling  fade  from  show. 
This    scene    transpires    without;    within    the 
camp. 
Chief  Mideon  sits  beneath  a  candle  lamp, 
Within  his  tent,  upon  a  soldier's  cot, 
With   head    bowed    low,    remote    in    troubled 
thought : 
"What  can  be  done? — stands  firm  the  Spirit 
Wall- 
It  has  resisted — my  great  forces  fall; 
Before  it  they  appear  and  make  attack, 
In  terror  bleeding  to  be  driven  back. 
'Tis  worthless  to  combat  along  that  line — 
The  Wall  will  stand — new  tactics  must  be  mine. 
Clement,  wise  Clement,  you  the  trick  have  ta- 
ken; 
'Tis  now  my  shuffle,  watch,  lest  ye  be  shaken. 
Methinks  the  next  time  Mideon  wins  from  thee, 
But  without  boasting  let  us  wait  and  see. 
I  have  a  scheme,  a  scheme  devoid  a  doubt, 
To  bring  you,  Clement,   from  that  Wall  with- 
out. 
I  nothing  ask  but  this;  upon  the  field, 
In  open  fight,  to  meet  you  shield  to  shield." 

He  calls  without:  "Ho,  Festus,  are  you  there? 
Come  in  a  while  if  you  the  time  can  spare!" 
Festus,  whose  tent  was  next  to  Mideon's,  hears, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  69 

Answers:   "More  time   than  needed,"    and    ap- 
pears. 

"This  war  is  going  wrong.     A  change  must 
be. 
That  handsome  girl  at  Excess — who  is  she? 
Dost  know  of  whom  I  speak? — the  dark-haired 

lass, 
Who  did  before  me  to  the  chariot  pass; 
Dost    know? — then    tell    me,    Festus,    what   her 

name. 
I  seek  her  not  for  self,  but  carnal's  fame." 

'Tor  carnal's  fame,  ha.  ha  I  Wisely,  sir  chief, 
Boncella  loves  but  ofttimes  brings  to  grief. 
She  would,  no  doubt,  delight  you  like  the  rest, 
And  your  poor  heart  like  theirs  with  pain  infest. 
Brave  youth,  beware — Boncella  keep  away — 
All  your  affection  to  your  army  pay. 
Although  I  love  her  I  love  Mideon  more. 
And,  loving  him,  him  love  the  best  in  war. 
Here  you  are  chief,  united  hell  command, 
In  battle  lead  us  with  a  master  hand  ; 
But  let  Boncella  once  your  reason  waive, 
And  you,  the  monarch,  dwindle  to  the  slave. 
Stay  this  love-passion,  sir :  to  war  attend ; 
Not  now  but  latter  for  Boncella  send." 

"Stay  this  soft  speech!   and,  Festus,  hark  to 
me: 
I  battles  plan  and  carnal's  destiny. 
Not  for  myself  nor  passions  of  the  weak, 
But  war's  success  I  do  Boncella  seek. 
When  first  my  eyes  did  on  this  woman  fall, 
I  saw  that  many  powers  obeyed  her  call. 
These  powers  I  now  can  use.  Conduct  me  hence. 
To  plan  with  her  a  stratagem  immense." 


yo  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

"Amen,"  responded  Festus,  as  the  two 
Passed  in  the  night  and    t'ward    their    chariots 

drew. 
**I  questions  none  shall  ask,  but  sir,  beware, 
Lest  Mideon,  general,  fall  in  Mideon's  snare; 
Boncella  sinner  and  Boncella  saint, 
Both  parts  can  she  in  like  proportions  paint." 

The  general  answered  not.     They  board  their 
cars, 
And  drive  beneath  a  sky  now  laid  with  stars; 
Not  very  fast,  athwart  the  desert  wide, 
T'ward  Castle  Excess  travel  side  by  side. 

The  castle  reached, — the  castle  dark  as  night, 
Deserted  now  where  late  was  jovial  light, — 
They  enter,  feel  their  way  amidst  the  gloom, 
Pass  up  the  great  stairs  to  Boncella's  room. 
The  host  of  Excess  softly  sways  the  door, 
And  both  tip-toe  along  the  polished  floor, 
Amidst  the  purchases  of  tasty  wealth, 
On  through  the  outer  room  as  though  in  stealth, 
And  draw  the  curtains  at  the  passage  way — 
Inside  upon  her  bed  Boncella  lay. 
She  seemed  asleep,  her  head  toward  the  wall. 
As  o'er  the  eider  rich  her  tresses  fall; 
With  one  arm  for  a  pillow,  one  at  rest 
Upon  the  bed-robe,  o'er  her  wounded  breast; — 
While  just  the  tiniest  light  illumes  the  room, — 
A   fairy  struggling  with  the  giant  gloom. 

''Boncella,   'tis   but   Festus   and   a    friend; 
We  came  to  cheer  you  and  a  moment  spend :" 
The  host  thus  silence  broke.     Boncella  stirs. 
Toward  them  looks.   Their  eyes  are  met  by  hers. 
Surprised,  she  pales  at  seeing,  midst  the  shade, 
Chief  Mideon,  and  half-shrieking  starts  afraid. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  71 

*Tear  not.  Boncella ;  he  shall  harm  you  not. 
This  time  are  you  by  carnal's  chieftain  sought: 
To  help  the  cause,  he  did  request  of  me, 
That  1  him  hither  bring  to  speak  with  thee. 
So  give  him  help  if  such  to  war  relates, 
If  it  will  aid  the  cause  of  carnal's  states. 
But  hark;  Boncella,  love  not  with  this  man; 
His  place  is  war,  his  love  the  nether  clan. 
No  time  has  he  to  waste  in  woman's  arms, 
So    tempt    him    not    with    your    long-practised 

charms." 
"Of  me,  poor  me,  why  need  you  thus  request. 
You  know  'twas  he  who    made    this    wounded 

breast. 
He  stabbed  me  deep  in  payment  for  the  love 
I  could  not  help  but  proffer  in  the  grove. 
Since  once  he  has  resisted  my  advance, 
Me  tried  to  kill,  I  take  no  other  chance, 
Lest  he  conclude  the  task  so  well  begun. 
From  my  poor  eyes  dissolve  the  living  sun. 
But  what  would  Alideon  have?     You  need  but 

speak, 
I  serve  you  best  I  can,  though  deathly  weak. 
Your  knife,  sir  chief,  has  brought  me  near  the 

grave ; 
But  while  above,  I  to  your  bidding  slave. 
Proceed.     What  would'  you  have  of  me  to-day? 
But  (wreathe  the  word,  and  straight  I  will  obey." 
To  which  the  chief :  "Boncella,  thanks  to  thee. 
Your  words  denote  that  you  have  pardoned  me. 
I  acted  while  in  wrath.     Pray  let  it  pass, 
And  let  us  now  be  friends  of  noblest  class. 
I  wish  you  go  within  the  Spirit  ^lind  ; 
Get  in  some  way;  the  princess  Cassia  find; 


*J2  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Induce  her  by  some  ruse  to  visit  hell; — 
Remembering,  I  shall  see  her  treated  well. 
A  risky  service  to  your  lot  must  fall, 
Which   with   success   brings   Clement   from  the 

Wall; 
But  failing  renders  useless  any  war 
Against  the  Spirit  State  forever  more. 
Hence,  in  your  task  commit  no  dire  mistake; 
And,  on  your  life,  do  not  this  cause  forsake. 
So  now,  Boncella,  rise,  for  battle  dress, 
Not  as  a  tinseled  toy  but  conqueress." 

This  last  advice  Boncella  needed  not. 
For  as  he  spoke  her  plan  she  rounded  out. 
A  cunning  woman  needs  not  man's  advice, 
On  how  to  dress  or  act,  or  how  entice; 
And  so  Boncella,  glancing  up,  with  glee 
Said  simply:  ''Mideon,  leave  you  that  to  me; 
And  now  retire  till  I  my  figure  bind 
With  proper  armor  for  the  task  assigned." 

The  men  withdrew.     Her  maids  attend  their 
queen. 
And  soon  in  dress  appropriate  she  is  seen: 
Loosely  in  white;  the  folds    caught    here    and 

there. 
One  shoulder  covered  and  one  shoulder  bare; 
Her  hair  all  fluffy  falling  to  the  waist, 
While  naught  but   sandals    on    her    feet    were 

placed ; 
Nor  on  her  person  seen  one  precious  stone  ;— 
This  time  'tis  clear  she  covirts  the  mind  alone. 

Then,  leaning  on  a  maid   for  just  support, 
She  leaves,  to  join  the  men  within  the  court. 
The  chariots  there  awaited  them ;  and  they, 
The  group  of  four,  are  soon  upon  their  way. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  73 

And  while  en  route  to  where  the  camp  is  laid, 
Boncella,   questioned,  this  in  answer  made: 
"  'Tis  simply  go,  and  every  moment  do 
With  quick  dicpatch  the  things  which  come  in 

view. 
A  hundred  plans  now  flutter  through  my  mind, 
So  should  one   fail  I  can  another  find ; 
And  should  I  twice  a  hundred  failures  score, 
Each  one  shall  prompt  a  thousand  actions  more." 

Arrived     in     camp,     chief     Mideon     leaped 
aground, 
A  charioteer  for  her  assistant  found. 
Prepared  both  maid  and  mistress  for  the  ride, 
Then  shouted:   **Go — hell's  destiny  decide!" 

Straight    for   the   grand    gateway    of    Spirit 
Mind, 
Boncella's   charioteer   his   course   designed : 
The  steeds  upon  the  breeze  unloose  their  manes ; 
The  chariot  rumbling  dashes  o'er  the  plains. 

Without  delay  they  cross  the  desert  great, 
Arrive  before  the  closed  and  guarded  Gate; 
Where    sharp   is   heard    the    sentryman's   com- 
mand : 
"Who  hither  travels   from  the  nether  land?" 

To   which  she    answers:    "Friends!    Though 
come  from  hell, 
We  fly  the  flag  of  peace  and  wish  you  well. 
Boncella,  princess  of  the  house  Excess, 
Has  hither  come  on  mission  of  distress. 
I  wounded  am,  and  death  shall  soon  be  mine. 
Unless  I  pass  within  this  Gate  divine. 
I  seek  assistance  from  the  hand  of  Love, 
To  heal  me  and  conduct  me  on  above. 
That,  sir,  is  all  I  wish;  pray,  swing  the  Gate; 


74  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

'Tis  life  or  death,  so  do  not  make  me  wait!*' 

This  stratagem  spun  out  with  tragic  ease, 
Had  its  effect ;  it  did  the  guard  appease. 
"Excuse  sufficient  you  have  giv'n  to  go 
Within  the  Spirit  State  from  reahns  below. 
But  ere  you  travel,  proof  I  first  will  need; 
Show  me  the  wound  and  then  you  may  proceed." 

This  said  he  came  below.     Boncella  drew 
Her  dress  aside  and  "proved"  her  words  were 

true; 
Him  showed  the  bandage  o'er  the  swollen  part, 
And  pressed   his  hand    against    her    weakened 
heart. 
He  then  convinced;  "And  so  you  would  em- 
brace 
The  Spirit  State;  on  carnal  turn  your  face? 
Discouragement  I  would  not  offer  you, 
But  what  I  now  shall  say  believe  it  true. 
The  Love  Republic  is  a  viper  masked, 
Wherein  to  come  no  recommend  is  asked. 
It  is  a  trap.     Be  wise  and  treat  as  such. 
And  confidence  in  it  invest  not  much. 
You  here  perhaps  may  be  relieved  of  woe, 
But  end  it  then  and  back  to  carnal  go. 
Draw  forth  a  lesson  from  my  station  grave, 
Once  prince  in  hell,  now  Love's  subjected  slave. 
I,  miss,  am  Villard  of  Illusion  Land, 
A  brother  to  the  chief  of  hell's  command, 
Who  here  between  two  hostile  forces  hang, 
Hell's  hate  to  left,  to  right  the  Spirit's  fang. 
One  side  revengeful   seeks  to  capture  me, 
Murder,  their  plan,  their  cause,  base  bigotry; 
And  one  reduces  me  to  sentry  guard, 
Tc   long  endurance  and  to  labor  hard. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  75 

I  here  unwilling  clutch  the  Spirit  State, 

And  charged   with  terror   shrink   from   carnal's 

hate  ; 
Between  them  hang  and  watch  their  movements 

base ; 
One  would  destroy,  the  other  does  disgrace." 

Boncella  drank  with  joy  each  word  which  fell. 
Then   answered    (winning   her    first    fight     for 

hell)  : 
"Too  bad,  my  lord  of  carnal,  that  you  find 
Yourself  reduced  in  rank  by  Spirit  Mind. 
The  sad  affair  will  save  me  future  grief ; 
My  stay  in  Spirit  shall  be  very  brief — 
Just  long  enough  to  gain  my  point,  and  then 
(Her  eyes  flash  mischief)   back  to  hell  again! 
But  back  to  hell   (she  penetrates  his  thought, 
Sees  treason  there)   alone  I  travel  not. 
A  princess  of  the  sovereign  house  of  Heaven, 
Shall  then  with  me  to  Mideon's  camp  be  driven. 
You  need  not  speek.    Your  eyes  discover  all : 
You  Cassia  love,  but  she  has  let  you  fall; 
Your  feelings  shattered,  trampled  on  your  pride, 
Left  you  to  struggle  in  an  ocean  wide ; 
Burnt  bitter  vengeance  in  your  humbled  brea^, 
Made  you  still  love  her  more  but  Heaven  detest. 
Speak  not — I  know!    But  what    of    vengeance 

sweet  ? 
Would  you  her  bring  repentant  to  your  feet? 
I  this  will  promise,  and  will  promise  more, 
A  safe  return,  though  hell  be  drunk  with  gore, 
If  you  with  me  will  go,  as  pilot  act. 
Assistance  lend,  my  business  help  transact." 
The    sentry     paled,     and     trembling     looked 
around, 


76  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

To  listen  but  to  hear  no  living  sound; 
Then  opened  full  the  heavy  Gate  to  woe, 
Leaped  in  the  chariot,  saying:  ''Quick!   I  go." 

Again  the  party  on  its  mission  moves, 
Up  the  great  boulevard ;  amidst  the  groves, 
And  fields  of   foodful  grandeur,  onward  flies. 
Beneath  the  tented  beauty  of  the  skies; 
On,  on!  without  delay,  without  a  sound. 
Save  crickets,  tree  toads,  and  the  chariot's  bound ; 
On,  on !  amidst  the  workmanship  of  man. 
The  simple  beauteous  homes  of  Spirit's  clan; 
On,  on!  until  a  forest  rich  and  grand. 
In  which  abides  the  chief  of  Heaven's  command, 
Is  reached:  a  rugged,  glorious,  natural  place. 
In  which  is  built  the  castle  of  the  Race; 
Built  from  the  mountains,  which  do  ever  call: 
Preserve  the  tree  and  we  will  give  you  all. 

The  chariot  stops  amidst  the  foliage  here, 
Boncella  whispers  in  Sir  Villard's  ear. 
The  traitor  leaves  upon  a  mission  great. 
The  rest  the  outcome  of  his  call  await. 

He  goes  within.     The  door  is  never  barred, 
Nor  round  the  castle  placed  a  despot's  guard. 
Some  time  he  tarries,  then  again  is  seen. 
The  princess  with  him,  coming  down  the  green. 

And  when  abreast  the  chariot.  Cassia  said: 
"Who  now  is  here  who  late  in  battle  bled? 
Who   for  assistance,  Villard  tells  me,  came, 
I  now  am  here  to  serve  in  Spirit's  name." 

Boncella,  staggering  from  the  chariot,  spoke: 
"I  bleed — my  veins  are  poison,  O — I  choke  I 
I  come  to  Cassia  and  beseech  her  aid — 
Help,  else  I  die  amidst  your  very  shade!" 

She  said  and  fell;  her  speech  was  all  sincere; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  yy 

Her  wound  had  opened  and  her  heart  was  fear. 
The  princess  raised  her  as  she  Villard  had, 
By  striking  with  the  ^Nlind  the  matter  bad. 
The  wound  reclosed,  no  poison  did  remain  ; 
Boncella  cured  arose  without  a  pain. 

"Good  Cassia,  thanks.     How  coukl  I  do  but 
right  ? 
What  is  it  fills  me  with  repentant  light ! 
Commands  me  with  soft  music  halt  and  turn, 
My  black  commission  like  an  adder  spurn ! 
But  (falls  her  voice)  hush,  spirits  of  the  dark — 
My  mission  here — my  duty — Mideon,  hark  ! 
That  voice — 'tis   his!   the   chief   commands   me, 

haste ! 
For  carnal's  destiny — no  moment  waste — 
'Tis  almost  murder,  villainy  profound — 
What,  oh — that  music — strains  of  sacred  sound  ! 
My  soul  commands — forbear !  again  the  voice — 
Your  duty — hell  preserve — 'tis  Mideon's  choice ! 
I  love  him — yes ;  'tis  love  or  gratitude. 
I  must  decide !  but  which — the  bad  or  good  ? 
Choose    now    your    way — I    hear    him    yonder 

call— 
Or  love  or  duty,  quick !  or  turn  on  all !" 
She  pauses,  then :  **  'Tis  Mideon,  love  and  hell — 
I  promised  him — and  so,  my  soul,   farewell!" 

This  said  she  whispered  in  Sir  Villard's  ear ; 
"Now,  sir,  to  duty  and  we  fly  from  here !" 
At  which  the  traitor,  with  a  fiendish  bound. 
Clutched  Cassia's  throat  and  hurled  her  to  the 

ground ; 
Her  gagged  and  tied   (as  robber's  victims  are), 
Then  raised  her  up  and  threw  her  in  the  car. 

Again  is  heard  the  lashes'  cracking  sound. 
Again  the  coursers  plough  the  pebbled  ground, 


78  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Again  the  chariot  rumbles  through  the  night— 
Again  is  carnal  drunken  with  delight. 
She  shakes  with  rapture  o'er  the  victory  won, — 
The  Spirit  Mind  by  woman's  wit  undone. 
The  chariot  reaches  camp  as  heralds  fly, 
And  spread  around  the  hell-victorious  lie. 

The     crowds     assemble,    round    the    chariot 
swarm, 
Like  bees  the  hive  when  thunder  tells  a  storm. 
Their  savage  shouts,  their  cheers  and   frenzied 

eyes 
Besiege  the  captives  stricken  with  surprise. 
The  truth  as  lightning  is  to  Villard  laid : 
He  is  by  his  own  wickedness  betrayed. 

Rodolphus  wakes  from  his  belabored  dreams, 
To  hear  the  news  which  past  believing  seems; 
But  when  assured  'tis  not  a  slumber  tale. 
That  he  himself  is  rid  of  sleep's  prevail, 
He  hastens  forth  (a  guard  surrounding  him) 
With  thoughts  of  justice  orthodox  and  grim. 

The  princess  reached  he  said:  "Ah,  Love,  the 
wise, 
All-seeing  wisdom,  trapped  by  woman's  lies; 
Who  now  is  master,  who  the  Lord  above, 
The  god  of  fear,  or  your  base  God  of  Love? 
Which  one  the  Truth?     The    most    unlearned 

here. 
Will  without  hesitation  vow  'tis  fear. 
My  god  is  ruler  o'er  the  realms  of  mind, 
And  yours,  foul  woman,  shall  forever  bind. 
This  night  has  truth  directed  Mideon  send 
To  your  base  Empire  one  to  fear  a  friend; 
Who  brings,  as  like  a  miracle  of  hate. 
Destruction,  wretch,  upon  yourself  and  State: 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  79 

Soon  you  shall  be  destroyed  at  fears  command. 

And  my  field-general  shall  destroy  your  Land. 

He,  when  your  father  issues  from  the  Wall, 

In  search  of  you,  shall  make  of  Love  a  pall. 

Beneath  protection  of  a  rampart  high. 

You  can,  though  cowards,  carnal's  chief  defy; 

But  now  the  times  command  you  to  the  fray 

In  open  combat,  to  be  swept  away. 

That   is    my     general's    task.     Mine    here     re- 
mains : — 

To  rid  the  planet  of  these  hideous  stains: 

You,  wretch,  the  hated  cause  of  all  my  woe, 

Shall  be  debauched,  the  vilest  of  the  low  ; 

Unto  the  foulest  fiends  these  realms  possess. 

You  shall  be  hurled — fears  anger  to  redress! 

And  Villard,  traitor  of  my  church,  shall  lie 

Entombed,  unfed,  in  torture  left  to  die." 
This   said,   a  wicked,   half   inhuman  grin 

Triumphant  played  around  his  bearded  chin. 

Then   turning  to   the   crowd   he  thus   resumed: 

"This    woman     is     to     th'     adulterous    Stravo 
doomed ; 

And    Stravo     done,     she    shall    both    burn    and 
bleed ; — 

Duty  demands  and  scripture  rights  the  deed!" 
Shouts  of  approval  from  the  crowd  arise,  ^ 

To  mix  with  slurs  and  Heaven-denouncing  lies; 

As  Stravo  rushes  to  the  captive  miss, 

Ungags,  unbinds  her  and  attempts  to  kiss. 

She   screams  and  battles  him.     He    drags    her 
down. 

Within  the  dust  to  lie  while  all  look  on. 

She  begs,  she  weeps,  she  battles  for  release; 


8o  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

She  claws  him,   strikes   him,  and  her  cries  in- 
crease. 
Without  avail.     But  hold!  Will  none  befriend? 
With    virtue    staked,    will    Love    no    champion 
send  ? 
A  clatter  of  hoofs!  the  valiant  knight  from 
God! 
He  like  a  demon  plunges  through  the  crowd! 
'Tis  Mideon,  sword  in  hand,  in  armor  bound — 
"Stop    thief!"    he    roars,    and    dashes    to    the 

ground — 
To  Stravo  runs  and  chokes  the  rascal  white — 
Throws   him  to   earth   in   agony    and     fright — 
Bears  up  the  princess  to  his  armored  breast — 
And  then  indignant  thus  the  crowd  addrest: 

*'I  stand  the  chieftain  of  the  carnal  mind! 
And  captives  at  my  hands  shall  justice  find! 
Your  vile  abuses  of  a  former  time. 
Your   torture,   rape   and   murder — every   crime! 
Bestowed  on  captives  taken  while  in  war, 
At  my  command  shall  be  the  law  no  more ! 
And  you,  foul  coward    (turning  to  the  sage), 
O  noble  way  in  which  to  cool  your  rage! 
A     priest,     our     counsel,     by     deep     schooling 

weighed. 
To  pass  such  judgment  on  a  harmless  maid; 
Let  all  your  malice   for  the  Love  Empire, 
Burst  on  the  guiltless  like  exploding  fire; 
As  though  that  sentence,  vile,  degrading,  low, 
Could  help  our  course  or  weaker  leave  the  foe! 
A  sentence  void  of  manhood,  rank  with  hate, 
Disgraceful  to  the  prince  of   hell's   estate. 
Commend  yourself  to  fear,  or  any  god. 
That  will  such  hatred,  malice,  vice  applaud; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  8i 

But  tamper  not  again  with  hell's  affairs — 
I  need  you  not  and  shall  assume  all  cares. 
Though  counsel,  you  shall  not  my  honor  stain, 
I  stand  responsible  upon  the  plain ; 
'Tis  mine  to  deal  with  captives  as  I  please, 
And  none  shall  suffer  from  unjust  decrees. 
You  rank  above  me,  me  you  can  depose, 
But  while  in  power  I  justice  give  my  foes; 
So  mark  me  this :  till  you  my  senior  find, 
I  stand  the  chieftain  of  the  carnal  mind!" 

Rodolphus  trembled  under  this  rebuke. 
The  crowd  undone,  its  various  ways  betook. 
The    chieftain    whispered:    "Princess,    fear    no 

more. 
I  hold  you  but  a  prisoner  of  war; 
All  kindness,  all  respect  to  you  extend, 
And  pledge  my  life  your  person  to  defend." 

This  said,  he  threw  Rodolphus  from  the  car. 
The  lashes  crack,  and  they  are  whirled  afar : 
The  maid,  Boncella,  Villard  and  the  chief, 
With  lovely  Cassia,  thankful   for  relief. 
They  on  for  Castle  Excess  take  their  flight. 
As  crimson  dawn  concludes  the  dreadful  nigh*- 


82  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 


CANTO  THE  SIXTH. 

Then,  when  the  sun  embraced    the    crimson 
dawn, 
Drank  up  the  moisture  from  the  velvet  lawn, 
Opened  the  flower,  regaled  the  field  and  grove. 
Sublimely  fired  the  heavens  and  earth  with  love, 
The  sad  announcement  of  the  princess'  fate. 
Plunged   as   a  dagger    through    the    Sovereign 
State. 

The  people  stand,  enveloped  with  surprise, 
Chagrined  that  carnal  cou'  1  them  thus  chastise ; 
This,  too,  when  their  whole   State  was   full  in 

arms. 
With  guards  alert  for  subtle  hell's  alarms; 
Therefore,  they  ponder,  weighing  each  detail ; — 
And  thoughts  of  action  o'er  the  troops  prevail. 

Soon  scouts  appear  and  full  reports  disclose: 
The  artful  scheme  the  chieftain  Mideon  chose; 
Boncella's  stratagem,  Sir  Villard's  crime, — 
The  girl  abducted,  sentenced,  saved  in  time; 
The   speech   which   proved   who   master   was   in 

hell. 
Which  told  that  Cassia  would  be  treated  well. 

Clement  a  father's  loving  tear  uneyes, 
Feels  deep  the  pang  which  in  his  bosom  lies, 
Commingles  his  with  Cassia's  mother's  grief, 
And  for  the  time  is  parent  not  the  chief. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  83 

His    sorrow    checked    and    that    of    Spirit's 
queen, 
He  calmly  hastens  to  the  martial  scene; 
With  set  determination  on  his  face, 
Strength  in  his  eye  and  action  in  his  pace. 

His    army    reached,    he    said :    ''My    fellow 
men ; — 
We  must  without  delay  to  war  again. 
But  not  upon  the  Wall.     That  strength  is  lost. 
Last  night's  affair  has  us  our  Rampart  cost. 
But   who   must  bear    the    blame?    The    nether 

chief  ? 
The  wounded  girl  who  came  and  got  relief? 
Or  does  the  fault  to  treacherous  V'illard  fall, — 
Him  guilty  of  the  blackest  crime  of  all? 
The  traitor  of  the  Good  Mind  to  the  bad, 
Is  he  the  cause  of  these  conditions  sad? 
No,  no ;  pierce  deeper  than  the  traitor's  ken : 
The  blame  belongs  to  Clement  and  his  men. 
Neglect  is  ours.    Last  night  when  victory  ruled. 
When  carnal  was  repulsed,  our  caution  cooled; 
We  were  too  certain  without  ample  cause, 
Forgot  our  duty  in  our  green  applause. 
With  hell  unmastered  swarming  all  around. 
We  should   have  placed    a    heavy    guard,    and 

sound ; 
Selected  men  of  honor,  strength  and  age, 
Ten  times  the  number  which  we  did  engage. 
But  count  it  as  a  good  mistake  at  best, 
And  now  to  arms,  your   strength  and  courage 

test. 
In  hell  we  go  to  battle  hand  to  hand, 
To  restore  peace  and  Cassia  to  the  Land." 

Thus,  Mideon's  stratagem  reversed  the  tide; 


§4  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

It  placed  the  Spirit  on  th'  attacking  side, 
And  carnal  on  the  absolute  defense; 
And  brought  the   former   from    his    Wall    im- 
mense. 
-X-  ^  -x-  *  *  » 

Now,  to  the  Castle  Excess  let  us  haste, 
To  see  what  happened  to  the  captive  chaste. 
Lord  Festus  had  returned  to  his  estate; 
And  now  expectant  stands  before  the  gate. 
Then  in  the  distance  is  the  chariot  seen, 
To  soon  draw  up  amidst  the  foliage  green. 
The  host  receives  the  group    with    heart    and 

hand, 
Like  Festus  can,  in  manner  nobly  grand, 
With  cordial  features,  crimson  as  his  wine, 
With  eyes  that  lift  and  every  care  resign. 

The  princess  him  addressing  clasped  his  arm: 
"Your  features  tell,  I  here  receive  no  harm. 
Is  that  the  truth,  lord  Festus?  do  I  trace 
A  heart  of  human  kindness  in  your  face?" 

''Yes,  Cassia,  but  as  lord  address  not  me. 
While  you  remain  I  will  a  parent  be. 
A  parent's  arm  and  honor  here  are  thine, 
So  calm  yourself,  to  circumstance  resign. 
Rodolphus'  plan  at  first  I  disapproved, 
Though  later  on  for  Cassia's  capture  moved. 
'Twas  tact,  the  common  scepter  at  Excess, 
Compelled  me  to  his  mandate  acquiesce. 
I  reasoned.  Spirit  Mind  was  not  to  blame. 
When  converts  pleased  within  its  borders  came; 
A    perfect     right    had    they    to    change    their 

views ; — 
A  man  drinks  not  at  Excess  lest  he  choose; 
But  love  I  him  no  less,  if  he  decline 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  85 

The  passing  pleasures  gathered   from  my  wine. 
Hence,  our  lord  counsel  labored  in  the  wrong, 
But  (thanks,  O  chief!)   he  did  not  labor  long; 
Xot  till  his  spite  could  blacken  innocence, 
Nor  \'illard  by  starvation  banish  hence. 
Peace,  daughter  mine ;  at  Excess  live  at  ease, 
Yourself  amuse,  and  worship  as  you  please." 

This  said,  as  gift  appropriate  to  the  chaste, 
Around  her  neck  a  string  of  pearls  he  placed. 
The  giver  thanked,  the  party  long  in  fast, 
Within  the  house,  attend  a  rich  repast. 

And   while  they   feast,  the    chief    to    Villard 
thus: 
"Brother,  by  what  means  did  you  come  to  us; 
Of  your  own  will?  or  by  Boncella's  ruse 
Were  you  deceived,  the  carnal  plane  to  choose?" 

'Tn  part  her  ruse,  in  part  my  hapless  state," 
He  said  and  told  their  meeting  at  the  Gate  ; 
Her  speech,  his  grief, — how   Spirit  had  belied, 
The  girl's  abduction,  and  the  daring  ride. 

The  princess  as  he  spoke  disclosed  surprise, 
Great  tears  of  disappointment  filled  her  eyes. 
From    earliest    childhood     used     to     men     of 

strength. 
Brave,  trustful  men,  she  silent  looked  at  length. 

Expecting  her  to   speak,  the  chief  was   still; 
Then,  soon  is  heard  the  thunder  of  his  will: 
"Why  did  you  not  do  honor  to  your  post? 
Of  all  vile  traitors  you  have  sinned  the  most! 
My  envoy  fooled  you,  yes!  in  war  'twas  right; 
To    Heaven   she   gained    an    entrance    without 

fight. 
Her  deed  is  to  be  praised  but.  sir,  your  own! — 
Although  my  brother,  I  such  kin  disown. 


86  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Shame  on  you,  thing!   Your  hapless  state,  you 

say; 
Your  hapless  state :  made  well  when  almost  clay. 
You,  whom  Rodolphus  made  the  cause  of  war, 
By  Heaven  protected,  such  a  life  deplore! 
With  all  provided,  then  with  hatred  burn, 
Of  burdens  whine,  on  your  preserver  turn. 
O  loathe  I  him  who  trails  his  chains  in  dust, 
And  doubly  loathe  him  faithless  to  his  trust! 
And  what,  sir,    are    your    burdens — pride    and 

ease. 
Call  them  injustice,  cant  or  what  you  please, 
It  matters  not ;  the  truth  shall  yet  remain, 
That  yours  can  never  blot  this  treason  stain. 
Festus  or  I,  yes,  any  soldier  might, 
H  placed  like  you,  presume  Boncella  right, 
Permit  her  pass  within  for  pity's  sake, — 
But   would   have    scorned    her    counsel     like   a 

snake ! 
Yet  she  with  men  would  not  have  been  so  bold. 
On  you,  a  fop,  she  found  an  easy  hold. 
In  hell  will  you  receive  no  punishment? 
Will  you  repose  in  luxury  content? 
Will  you  resume  the  haughtiness  of  yore, 
Hating  all  labor  and  the  toils  of  war? 
O  no ;  you  ride  to  battle  at  my  side. 
To  suffer  hardship  and  be  cured  of  pride; 
Where  sentry  duty  at  the  Spirit  Gate, 
Shall  when  compared  appear  an  office  great." 
The     traitor     answered    not.      The    subject 
changed : 
'T  hope  this  night  has  not  my  guests  estranged." 
Lord  Festus  thus.    "And,  princess,  understand, 
*Twas  not  Boncella's  choice  but  hell's  command, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  87 

That  you  be  trapped.     'Tvvas  duty  on  her  part, 
And  such  that  now  does  ahiiost  break  her  heart. 
Behold  her  tears ;  I  promise  they  are  real ; — 
E'en  carnal  women   stings  of   conscience   feel. 
She  grieves  that   she   has    sinned    against    you 

much, 
So.  when  you  judge  her,  pray  be  light  of  touch." 

Boncella,  while  the  rest  of   food  partook, 
Bowed  low  her  head,  as  her  whole  body  shook; 
Her  hair  disheveled  hid  her  face  from  view, 
A  face  contracted  in  deep  sorrow  true. 

The   princess,    when    the   host    had     finished, 
thus : 
''Boncella,  you  have  acted  ill  by  us ; 
Have  played  an  awful  part  this  bitter  night, 
But  let  it  pass  forever  from  the  sight. 
I  do  condemn  the  deed  but  that  is  all, 
My  many  pardons  on  Boncella   fall." 

Boncella  raised  her  head  and  sobbing  cried : 
"No,  no !  thou  canst  not  pardon  one  who  lied, 
Betrayed,  insnared  and  almost  ruined  thee; 
Still  let  my  sin,  my  conscience  torture  me; — 
No  pardon  grant  till  I  through  service  prove 
Myself  as   worthy   such  unshackled   love !" 

The    host    rejoined :      "Boncella,    calm    your 
woe. 
To  your  apartments  with  the  princess  go ; 
Supply  her  with  the  richest  and  the  best. 
And  treat  her  as  you  should  a  sovereign  guest." 

He  then  to  Cassia :    "Here  I  hope  you  find 
Amusement  till   returned  to    Spirit   Mind. 
My  house,  my  gardens  and  my  groves  are  free. 
Their  beauty,  grandeur,  wealth  are  all  for  thee ; 
So  merry  make  your  stay,  do  what  you  please. 


88  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  strive  my  poor  Boncella's  heart  to  ease." 

**I  thank  you,  Festus ;  I  will  do  my  best 
To  prove  myself  a  kind  and  grateful  guest/* 
She  thus  replied,  and  nothing  more  was  said. 
Boncella  from  the  hall  her  comrade  led ; 
The  men   withdrew   and   mounting   rode   away, 
Out  o'er  the  desert  to  the  dread  affray. 

*  :)<  ;J;  jK  ♦  ;!i 

The   forces   halt  upon  the  open  plain. 
Both  Heaven  and  hell  do  their  positions  gain, 
Line  up  their  great  divisions   face  to  face, — 
Between  each  army  but  a  mile  of  space. 
The  long  divide  and   walls  of  armored  might, 
Which  way  observed,  outdo  the  mortal  sight. 
Until  two  streaks  appear  to  join  in  one, 
To  specks  diminish  and  to  nothing  run. 

The   Spirits   first   attack.     Their  chiefs   com- 
mand. 
And  they  advance  to  battle  hand  to  hand. 
Swiftly  they   march,   their     feet    made    doubly 

light 
By  carnal's  theft,  her  victory  of  the  night; 
And  then   they    charge    upon    great    Mideon's 

arms, — 
But  he  stands  ready  for  their  first  alarms. 
His  words  commanding  travel  down  the  line,- 
Till  all  the  seconds  know  their  chief's  design. 

The    battle    starts    and     straightway    waxes 
warm. 
The  arrows  plunge  like  torrents  of  a  storm. 
The  hungry  javelins,  eager  on  the  wing. 
Famished    for    blood,    destruction    with    them 
bring. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  89 

The  murderous  spears  their  shivering  journeys 

make, 
Leaving  unnumbered   sorrows   in   the   wake. 
The  ponderous  axe,  most  terrible  of  blow, 
In  hands  of  sinew,  batters  down  the  foe. 
And  crafty   swords,   the   master-arms  of   war. 
Show    full   their   strength   and   flood   the   plains 
with  gore. 

All  down  the  fighting  front  the   forces  mix, 
Unfold  their  might  and  catalogue  of  tricks. 
Now  here,  now  there  the  tide  of  battle  flows, 
First  with  the  Spirit,  then  with  carnal  goes. 
Heaven  gains  a  point;  'tis  matched  by  hell's  at- 
tack; 
Hell  forward  moves — is  promptly  driven  back — 
Renews  the  charge  and  storms  the  Spirit  men; 
Heaven   first   retreats    but    gains    her    ground 
again. 

Scattered  in  squads,  both  cavalries  alike 
Their   foes   harass,   disorganize   and   strike. 
As  a  tornado  sweeping  clean  its  course. 
They  plough  the  infantry  to  break  its  force; 
Where  least  expected  spring  up  like  a  flame, 
Spread  terror  quick  and  vanish,  as  they  came. 
Now  horse  and  horse  with  one  another  clash; 
Now  to  protect  their  infantry  they  dash. 
Strike  telling  blows,  to  flight  their  foemen  put, 
And  clear  for  action  by  the  ranks  afoot. 

The    States    of    Wisdom    (Prince     Rodova's 
clan) 
And   Ignorance    (Nancalot's)    the  fight  began. 
Like  angry  clouds  long  pregnant  with  revolt, 
They  clash,   resounding  as  a  thunderbolt. 

"At  last!  at  last!  my  arch-opponent's  race 


90  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

In  open  combat  meets  me  face  to  face! 
Ah,  what  deHght!   O  sons  of  Ignorant  Land, 
Lay  to  your  arms,  your  glory  is  at  hand ! 
The  hour  is  come  to  prove  that  boasted  worth. 
To  Wisdom  prove  your  claims  to  greater  berth. 
'Tis  Ignorance  which  has  ever  made  the  soul, 
The  gods  almighty  that  the  race  control, 
Wisdom  is  common,  is  of  Nature's  plan, 
Is  far  beneath  the  dignity  of  man. 
He  thirsts  for  more  than  Nature  has  to  give, 
So  must  depart  from  her  in  self  to  live ; 
Where  Wisdom's  pleadings  can  not  change  the 

soul, — 
His  god  is  Ignorance  and  a  crown  his  goal! 
Hence,  let  your  greatness    by    great    deeds    be 

proved. 
They  come !  advance  and  battle  them  unmoved ; 
Their  shackled  Wisdom  to  the  vultures  cast; 
Your  hour  of  fame  is  here,  at  last,  at  last!" 
At  this  they  rush  to  meet  the  foe's  attack. 
Bear  down  upon  and  force  him  quickly  back. 
One  powerful  legion  led  by  Nancalot, 
Straightway  the  rear  part  of  his  army  caught; 
One  closed  his  right,  his  left  another  closed. 
Shutting  him  in,  to  their  torments  exposed. 

Loud  Ignorance  then,  enraptured  by  success, 
Shout  upon  shout  and  curse  on  curse  express. 
Barren  of  Judgment,  they  look  not  beyond 
The  moment  but  view  only  that  around; 
Where  they  behold  the  foe  by  one  reverse 
Conquered  and  at  their  mercy  to  disperse. 

Rodova   thus   observes   and   then   commands: 
"Come,  knights  of  Wisdom,  come  and  lend  your 

hands ; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  91 

Together  bring  forthwith  your  forces  large, 
That  we  may  rush  in  one  harmonious  charge. 
'Tis  Ignorance  which  has  turned  mankind  from 

God, 
Raised  up  the  prophets  who  the  race  defraud; 
Which  made  the  heavens  of  gold  and  earth  of 

sin, 
Turned    Nature    out    and    mammon    thronged 

within. 
'Tis  Ignorance  which  has  ever  Wisdom  fought. 
Degraded  men  and  murderous  bigots  taught; 
Loathed  Nature's  Book  because  it  fails  to  hate. 
But  sets  th'  example  to  both  church  and  state, — 
Which  few  will  follow  for  no  room  is  there 
For    foul   ambition's   gold-embellished    snare. 
And  this  same    Ignorance    now    surrounds    us 

here, 
Shouts  loud  its  venom  and  its  vulgar  cheer. 
But  come!  'tis  time  to  stop  its  nonsense  large; 
Attention,      all     combined  —  now  —  forward  — 

charge!"  • 

Tis  done.    The    spearmen    with    their    arms 
abreast, 
In  one  grand  column  move  ahead  the  rest. 
The  spears  like  one  great  battering  ram  appear, 
Strike  with  vehemence,  plough  a  passage  clear. 
The  foe  then  closes  round  enraged  and  fierce, 
And  spears  to  spears,  their  adversaries  pierce. 
Hot  grows  the  conflict.     Then  the  swords  be- 
hind, 
Eager  for  action  come  and  action  find. 
Them  w^ith  a  master  hand  Rodova  leads, 
Long  exercised  in  mind  and  martial  deeds; 


92  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

With  care  observes,    with    greater    care    com- 
mands, 
Attacks  with  caution  and  with  profit  lands. 
Most  grand,  most  fearless    is    this    chief's    ad- 
vance. 
As  sunbeams  on  the  shields  and  weapons  dance; 
The  helmet  plumes  vibrating  to  the  wynd, 
And  each  great  column  in  perfection  lined. 
The  right  hand  gripping  firm  the  weapons  hard, 
The  shields  within  the  left  hand  held  at  guard. 
With  faces  set  and  barren  of  all  fear, 
The  troops  in   faultless  discipline  appear. 

Now,   hand   to   hand   they   clash ;   to   left,   to 
right, 
They  move  amidst  the  fires  of  rapid  fight; 
Nimble  of  body  move  around  the  field. 
Sometimes  to  conquer  and  sometimes  to  yield. 
'Tis  here  that  Wisdom,  there  that  Ignorant  land, 
The  battle  favors  with  the  stronger  hand. 
'Tis  equal  now;  both  sides  the  struggle  claim. 
Then  Wisdom  dashes  Ignorance  down  to  shame. 
One  mighty  charge  compels  her  to  retreat. 
She  turns  again — an  adder  blind  with  heat — 
Rushes  headlong  and  strikes  an  awful  blow, 
Repeats  th'  assault,  till  backward  moves  the  foe. 

And  then  Rodova  springs  at  Nancalot, 
To  hurl  a  challenge  for  a  single  bout. 
It  is  accepted  and  their  swords  resound. 
While  their  commands  pursue  the  fight  around. 

"Sir  chief  of   Ignorance,   we  this   hour  have 
met, 
To  settle  for  all  time  our  ancient  debt; 
We  now  shall  compensate  all  former  wrongs; 
This  combat  tells  to  whom  the  field  belongs." 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  93 

So   spake   Rodova.      Nancalot   replied: 
"Never  were  truer  words  from  lips  untied. 
This  struggle  tells  the  master  and  the  slave, 
And  proves  whose  banner  shall  forever  wave, 
Whose   must   go   down ;   'tis   Ignorance  now  or 

lore — 
This  combat  proves  who  strongest  is  in  war." 
Thus   each    commander     speaks    amidst    the 
fight, 
Which  settles  all  and  proves  which  one  is  right. 
Skilled    in  the    various    tricks    of    sword    and 

shield, 
Each  feels  he  shall  triumphant  leave  the  field. 
Rodova,  handsome,  scholarly  of  mien. 
Moves  through  the  combat  gracefully  serene; 
While  every  action   shows  the  master  hand, — 
Mind  leads  him  and  his  arms  obey  command.     ' 
Heavy  of  blow  and  faultless  as  to  art ; 
His  sword  though  lifeless  seems  of  him  a  part. 
The  brute-faced  Nancalot,  of  oxen  strength. 
With  arms  to  match  th'  orangoutang's  in  length. 
Mighty  of  blow  but  void  of  mental  force, 
Clumsy  yet  skilled,  moves  through  the  battle's 

course. 
Down  comes  his  ponderous  weapon  like  an  axe, 
Against    his    foeman's    shield    with    vengeance 

cracks. 
Casts  angry  sparks  and  odious  smells  around ; 
Each    time   it   strikes    it    strikes     with    greater 

sound. 
With  no  result  they  struggle  on  at  length, 
Possessed   throughout   of   unremitting   strength. 
When  lo !  upon  a  sudden  all  is  turned. 
The  prince  of  Wisdom  has  the  victory  earned. 


94  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  shield  of  Nancalot  receives  a  thrust, 
That  whirling  sends  it  clanking  to  the  dust. 
Another  blow — his  helmet  strikes  the  ground; 
A  third,  his  weapon  from  his  hand  unbound. 

And  when   disarmed   the   warrior    scorns    to 
break ; 
Rodova's  sword  in  madness  tries  to  take; 
Strikes  with  bare  kunckles  his  opponent's  head, 
Attempts  to  choke  and  last  to  bite  him  dead. 
But  Wisdom's  monarch  pulls  the  monster  loose 
Ere  he  succeeds  but  not  till  streams  profuse 
Of  blood  had  issued  from  the  tooth-bored  veins, 
Besmeared   his  breastplate    and    bedashed    the 
plains. 

"O  Nancalot,  O  most  inhuman  wretch! 
This  deed  of  yours  shall  you  to  torture  fetch. 
I  conquered  you  and  fairly  did  I  war, 
But  now,  O  chief,  I  shall  not  fight  you  more. 
This  coward's  act  must  be  repaid  by  hell; 
The  coward  I  refuse  to  fight.     Farwell!" 

This  speech  was   scarcely    finished    when    a 
spear 
Discharged  at  Wisdom's  chieftain  passed   him 

clear. 
And     crashing      struck      his      coward-foe      to 

ground, — 
A  violent  blow,  a  recompensing  wound: 
His  right  arm  severed  at  the  shoulder  joint, 
Drenches  the  sand;  the  fingers  at  him  point; — 
An  awful  sign,  stronger  than  words  could  say: 
Vengeance  is  evil's,  evil  will  repay! 

The   Ignorant  ranks   behold  their  chieftain's 
fate. 
Then  weak  resistance  give  the  learned  state,  i 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  95 

They   fall  before  her  sweeping  swords'  alarms, 
Curse     their     ill-fortune    and    her    conquering 

arms ; 
And  soon  desert  the  field,  in  terror  fly, 
To  fade  from  view  amidst  the  mountains  high. 
Repulsed   forever  by  their   foe  refined. 
Thus  ends  the  conflict    twixt    these    states    of 
mind. 

But  all  around,  the  plains  are  drenched  with 
gore. 
And  Heaven  and  hell  are  deep  in  final  war. 
While  Wisdom  and  her  foe  pursue  the  fight, 
Ihe  rest  contend   for  long-disputed  might 
Never  before  upon  the  planet  mind, 
Did  arms  such  license  and  such  slaughter  find. 
Forced  by  this  universal  strength  unbound, 
The  mountains  tremble  and  the  clouds  resound. 
Heavy  and  silent  hangs  the  atmosphere. 
Which  becomes  sickening,  with  the  sun  severe. 
Th'  embattled  plains,  as  turned  to  sheets  of  fire, 
Flooded  with  blood,  w4th  odors  vile,  perspire. 
But  mind's  opponents.  Heaven  and  even  hell, 
Buried  in  war  know  neither  heat  nor  smell. 
One  supreme  passion  rules  the  heart  within: 
Sin  to  crush  Spirit,  Spirit  to  crush  sin. 

They  thus  are  seen.     Within  the  center  stand 
Fidelity  and  Mount  Indifferent  Land; 
Their  various  arms  enraged  by  memories  old, 
In   slaughtering  combat  awful  to  behold. 

Till  now,  to  hell  Indifference  had  been  true, 
As  when  the  battle  winds  impartial  blew; 
Before  Fidelity's  fast-rising  powers 
Hammered     her     ranks     with    steel-distressing 
showers. 


96  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Then  thus  her  chief  Balsaba  loudly  cried: 
*Trince  Truba  hold  and  turn  your  arms  aside! 
O  Turn,  O  turn  them  from  your  fellow  man, 
Who  now  believes  you  lead  the  righteous  clan; 
Who  sees  his  error,  sees  his  cause  as  wrong, 
Sees   that   he   has   in   darkness   labored   long. 
Pray,  let  my  forces  with  your  army  dwell, 
Where  we  will  gladly  breast  the  troops  of  hell, 
Beside  you  fight  till  victory  or  defeat; 
So  come,   O    prince!    in    peace    your    brothers 
meet." 

Then  Truba  thus  replied:    ''Balsaba,  no! 
Embrace  in  friendship  my  most  worthless  foe? 
Ha,  ha!  how  mirth-inspiring  does  it  sound — 
Fidelity  and  loose  indifference  bound ! 
Indifference  flopping  on  the  popular  tide, 
Bent  t'ward  each  issue  circulated  wide; 
'Tis  politics,  religion,  art  in  skims, 
Conservative   and   radical   by   whims. 
Nay,  nay,  Indifference,  you  can  never  be 
A  member  of  the  State  Fidelity. 
You  are  of  hell  a  resident  since  born, 
And  must  till  death  her  various  realms  adorn. 
There  you  can  change  your  notions  every  day, 
But  Heaven  admits  you  not ;  Indifference,  nay. 
But  come,  Balsaba,  we  no  time  must  waste; 
Command  your  troops,  I  now  attack  in  haste." 

And  so  he  did.    Balsaba  much  "abused," 
That  Truba  had  his  offer  thus  refused. 
Addressed  his  troops.    As  they  in  battle  move. 
He  thus:  'This  insult  shall  our  cause  improve. 
The  troops  opposing  scorn  to  be  our  friends ; 
Their    chieftain    laughs    and    our    good    state 
offends. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  97 

'Tis  well,   for  after  all  we  nothing  lose; 

Fidelity  is  no  fit  thing  to  choose. 

Her  speech  is  poor  and  poorer  still  her  thought, 

Her  mind   is  narrow  and   her  teachings   rot. 

We  court  the  intellect  in  every   form, — 

Our  minds   in   every   controversy   warm, 

In  every  party,  school,  religion  taught. 

And  thereby  master  all  the  current  thought. 

'Tis  fatal  to  remain  at  one  thing  long, 

Like  workmen  dense  or  poets  crazed  by  song; 

Or  like  our  foe,  Fidelity  uncouth, 

Blinded  and  chained  by  one  poor  silly  Truth — ** 

Just  then  a  javelin  sped  from  Heaven's  array, 
Crashed  through  his  teeth  and  tore  his  tongue 

away ; 
And  straight  he  sank  in  torture  to  the  ground, 
Never  again  his  errant  thoughts  to  sound. 

Crys  of  despair  throughout  his  ranks  prevail. 
They  charge  the  foe  but  in  their  efforts  fail. 
The   foe's   command,   superior  everywhere. 
Disorganizing  drives  them  here   and  there; 
Till  they  confused  see  neither  foe  nor  friend, 
Their  comrades  strike  and  to  destruction  send; 
And  then  at  last  to  Truba's  forces  yield, 
Throw  down  their  arms  and  shrieking  quit  the 
field. 

Meantime,  two  nations  battle  at  their  side. 
True    Pride   of    Heaven    and    hell's    Falacious 

Pride. 
With  armies  full  they  clash,  in  action  warm, 
Use  all  their  talents  to  direct  the  storm. 

*'0  Dion,"  thus  Falacious'  monarch  spoke, 
"Come,  lay  aside  this  ill-becoming  cloak; 
The  cloak  of  service  wrapped  around  the  poor, 


98  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  worthless  set  that  batters  down  your  door; 
The  cloak  of  treason  to  the  prosperous  class, 
That  does  and  justly  snub  the  groveling  mass; 
The  cloak  of  silence  keeping  you  unknown, 
When  you   should   reap   the   harvest  you   have 

sown. 
Come,  Dion,  why  not  take  your  proper  berth,  ^ 
Have    prestige,    pleasure,     friends    and    social 

worth, 
Create  esteem  by  palace^  and  show, 
Not  waste  your  life  consorting  with  the  low; 
But  let  your  pride  upon  your  person  be. 
That  all  who  meet  you  can  your  greatness  see. 
Come,  Dion,  come  and  quit  this  martyr  life, 
And  quitting  it  conclude  our  ancient  strife." 
"Martyr,  O  Sylbon,  martyr  did  you  say? 
Ah!  know  you  not  the  word  to  talk  that  way. 
The  martyrdom  of  True  Pride  is  to  stand 
The  shafts  of  wealth,  the  hatred  of  the  land, 
The  powers  combating  every  noble  deed; 
Is  to  fight  bravely  and  by  work  succeed, 
Triumphant  rise  above  th'  opposing  tide; 
And  then  when  up  to  let  your  work  decide, — ^ 
Be  modest,  temperate^,   fearless,  just  and  plain, 
Let  past  and  present  work  your  laurels  gain; 
Not  turn  the  tyrant  whom  you  late  did  fight. 
And  think  o'er  man  you  rule  divinely  right. 
Still  you  would  have  me  take  my  proper  place, 
But  where,  O  Sylbon?  with  your  haughty  race? 
With  prestige  which  is  naught  but  worshipped 

gold? 
With  pleasure,  but  a  life  to  passion  sold? 
With  social  worth,  but  palaces  of  snow, 
Which  melt  when  riches  from  their  portals  go? 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  99 

With   friends,   but  cats  that   suck  the   sleeper's 

breath, 
That  purr  and  hug  him,  till  he  suffer  death ; 
That  when  he  can  not  entertain  them  more, 
Forget  him,  strip  him,  drink  his  very  gore? 
Is  this  my  place?  Falacious  monarch,  no! 
Love  does  on  man  a  greater  pride  bestow : 
That  simplest,  noblest  virtue,  being  kind, 
Which   does  more   good    than    all    the    bullion 

mined. 
And  kind  to  whom?  to  stranger,  brother,  self. 
Serve  all  alike,  and  never  serve  for  pelf ; 
Lead  none  astray,  from  sin  keep  far  apart, 
Respect  one's   health,  one's    honor,    mind    and 

heart. 
This,  Sylbon,  is  the  pride  which  rules  my  race, 
Labors  for  Love,  in  Nature  has  its  place." 

To  which  Falacious:    "Then  without  avail 
I  beg  you  luxury  and  prestige  hail. 
You  prefer  trash  to  gentlemen  of  ease, 
Who  soil  no  hand  with  misery  and  disease. 
With  cent-less  man  who  can  but  be  despised — 
For  being  poor  'tis  right  he  be  chastised ; 
Who  could  be  wealthy  if  he  half-way  tried. 
Who  gets  but  counsel  from  Falacious  Pride. 
Us  let  him  choose  as  models,  then  begin, 
And  through  starvation  try  our  heights  to  win. 
That,  sir,  is  charity.     Advice  not  gold 
Is  best  for  man  in  hunger,  rags  and  cold. 
But  ah!  does  Dion  with  an  open  ear, 
To  practised  truth  an  auditor  appear? 
Nay;  he  too  blinded  is,  too  far  removed 
From  life  by  Nature  to  be  thus  improved. 
Yet  certain  am  I  this,  the  battlefield 


loo  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Compels  us  both  one  common  judgment  yield: 
War  respects  not  the  person  but  the  cause, 
Gives  tears  to  weakness    and    to    strength  ap- 
plause. 
Who   then   shall   conquer,   who    shall   drain   his 

eyes  ? 
Come,  let  us  war  and  see  where  victory  lies." 

His  foe  consents.     The  fight  again  renews, 
With  war's  unfailing  grief  the  plain  bestrews, 
Reaches  a  climax  with  gigantic  strides. 
With  slow  and  stubborn  laxity  subsides. 
Sylbon  is  vanquished,  driven  far  to  rear, 
Ruined,  chagrined  and  victimized  by  fear; 
Riches  and  power  (to  gain  a  lifetime  cost), 
Swept  from  his  province  and  with  prestige  lost. 
As  though  a  tameless  bull  for  slaughter  bound, 
In  blood  and  anger  soaked,  he  storms  around; 
At  reason  swears,  sees  nothing  but  the  bad. 
Snarls  like  a  mastiff,  and  goes  shrieking  mad. 

And  while  this   scene  transpires,  to   Sylbon's 
aid. 
Submission  rushes   fresh  for  war  arrayed; 
Upon  the  rear  attacks  True  Pride's  command. 
Ploughs  through  and  flanks  her  quick  on  every 
hand. 

But  watchful  Clement  orders  out  relief. 
Bids  Fortitude,  with  great  Savinium  chief, 
Attack  Submission,  break  her  dangerous  flanks, 
And   rescue   Dion's   close-surrounded   ranks. 

This  order  executed  to  the  word, 
Savinivim,  stalking  t'ward  his  foe,  is  heard : 
"Come,   Hyasaxton,   fight   your  common   foe. 
My  forces  fight,  and  look  you  be  not  slow. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  ioi 

True   Pride   has   done   her   share   and   earned   a 

rest, 
So  you  and  I  shall  now  our  talents  test. 
Your  servant,  sir,  I  wait  upon  your  board, — 
Select  the  order  you  can  best  afford : 
Shall  it  be  single  combat  served  with  gall, 
Or  foot  or  horse,  or  shall  it  compass  all?" 

*'0  Prince  Savinium,  none !  You  me  mistake : 
I  did  but  strive  my  friend's  disaster  break. 
Sylbon,  like  every  chief  in  carnal  mind, 
I  have  befriended,  entertained  and  dined  ; 
So  when  'twas  seen  his  foe  the  field  had  won, 
I   felt  compelled  to  his  assistance  run. 
I  love  not  war;  a  peaceful  man  am  I, 
And  honor  all,  before  all  humbly  lie. 
G^mmand  you  me  of  war  to  make  my  choice, 
Foot,  mounted,  single,  all.     Xone  do  I  voice. 
Above  them,  which  alike  are  born  of  sin, 
I  prefer  peace,  which   scorns  the  battle's  din, 
Which  is  the  mother  of  a  good  increase, — 
Health,  virtue,  happiness.     ]My  choice  is  peace." 

'*0  what  a  slander  on  these  sacred  truths  I 
O  what  base  sophistry  your  mind  pursues ! 
To  talk  of  virtue,  you  :  submission   fop. 
With  whom  the  vices  their  vile  mansions  mop; 
Whom  they  employ,  in  their  corrupted  plan, 
To  lewd  the  woman  and  degrade  the  man. 
You  talk  of  peace!  foul  monster  of  the  mire, 
Peace  such  as  thine  has  residence  in  fire. 
In  seas  of  sorrow,  agony  and  death. — 
The  peace  which    lives    on    butchered    virtue's 

breath. 
Of  happiness!  what  happiness  is  thine? 
Mankind  to  ruin  and  to  see  them  pine ; 


102  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

All  sin  to  court,  surrender  up  your  soul, 
Hold  naught  as  sacred  and  in  gutters  roll. 
And  health!  ye  transient  graveyard  of  disease, 
But  prick  your  flesh  and  poison  flows  with  ease. 
Disclose  your  mind;  no  knife  is  needed  here, 
Its  contents  I  can  only  see  too  clear: 
Hate,  falsehood,  theft,  oppression,  murder  see, — 
Yes,  all  of  hell's  most  vile  iniquity 
Is  pictured  here  in  daubs  of  glaring  paint. 
And  you  thus  branded  dare  to  pose  the  saint! 
But  now  no  more.    Your  wretched  troops  com- 
mand ; 
Come  on,  or    I    shall    strike    you    where    you 
stand !" 

Straightway  the  trumpets  spread  their  strains 
abroad. 
The  troops  of  Fortitude  their  chief  applaud, 
Make  haste  to  close  with  Hyasaxton's  arms, 
Attack,  and  propagate  new  war  alarms. 

Submission  classed    with    such    a    state    im- 
mense, 
Though  crafty  furnishes  but  weak  defense, 
Does  not  one  blow  of  consequence  extend, 
Is  loser  from  the  opening  to  the  end. 

"O  prince  of  Fortitude  forbid  the  fight; 
Behold  my  wounds,  my  army's  dreadful  plight; 
Behold  these  bloody  plains,  Submission's  gore; 
O  cease,  Savinium,  cease  this  cruel  war!" 

"Ah,  now  you,  heartless  murderer,  can  see 
Oceans  of  evil,  tears  and  agony; 
But  not  before,  when  you  the  villian  bold. 
While   slaughtering    virtue    worked    with    con- 
science cold, 
Not  then,  for  carnal  hammered  not  your  door, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  103 

Summoned  you  not  afield  to  painful  war. 
But  now,  with  Fortitude  to  face,  you  prate, 
'Behold  my  wounds,  my  army's  dreadful  state/ 
Ah  yes,  behold  I  these  but  stand  unmoved, 
My  pleasure  is  by  carnal's  grief  improved. 
I  take  delight  in  misery  from  that  source, 
'Tis  but   her    death-march    down    destruction's 

course. 
Therefore,  I  shall  no  quarter  give  to  thee. 
The  sword  alone  exists  twixt  you  and  me." 

And  while  the  chiefs  in  speech  were  thus  en- 
gaged, 
The  fight  between  their  various  forces  raged. 
No  rest  they  took;  Submission  striving  hard 
Fortitude's  vigorous  weapons  to  retard; 
And  Fortitude  attempting  to  surround 
Submission  or  compel  her  quit  the  ground. 

At  length  a  missile  from  a  ponderous  bow, 
Strikes  Hyasaxton  prone  a  crushing  blow. 
With   shattered    teeth    and    nose    and    various 

bones, 
He  backward  falling  thus  in  torture  groans: 

"Savinium,  mercy — mercy,  prince  of  Heaven! 
O.  has  not  punishment  enough  been  given? 
Call  oflf  your  forces  and  at  once  I  flee, 
Where  Heaven  cannot  and  shall  not  hear  of  me; 
Remote  in  carnal  mind  to  make  my  home. 
And  ne'er  again  near  Love's  Dominion  roam." 

His     foe     consents.     "Enough!      Submission 
yields, 
Begs  that  he  may  this  instant  quit  the  fields; 
So  rest  your  arms  and  let  him  do  his  will. 
We  nothing  more  could  gain  were  we  to  kill. 
His  first  plea  was  for  me  to  stop  the  fight 


104  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

When  he  still  fancied  his  conduct  was  right, 
And  wished,  when  only  half  reduced,  to  leave 
(A  half-hour  later  other  hearts  to  grieve)  ; 
But  now,  completely  conquered,  he  may  go — 
He  can  no  more  pursue  his  trade  of  woe. 
Our  work  is  ended  when  we  conquer  sin, 
For  hell  herself  destroys  her  wicked  kin." 

This  speech  concluded,  him  his  troops  obey. 
Submission  o'er  the  desert  melts  away. 
One    faithful    friend     conducts     the     conquered 

chief, 
Within  a  car,  beyond  the  plains  of  grief. 
And  everywhere  the  desert  drips  with  gore. 
With  Heaven  and  hell  still  deep  in  final  war. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  105 


CANTO  THE   SEVENTH. 

And   while   Submission    from   the   field    with- 
draws 
Fortitude  entertains  a  loud  applause; 
The  states  of  Energy  and  Indolence 
Their   forces  mix   amidst   confusion   dense. 
The  lines  draw  up  and    Divrum    then    com- 
mands : 
"Now  charge  this  state  which  scorns  to  soil  its 

hands ; 
These  caddish  weeds,  to  progress  as  a  drug,  ■ 
Who  live  on  what  their  kinsmen  stole  or  dug, — ■ 
Or  if  not  rich,  who  live  on  family  ties. 
And  strive  through  foppish  dreams  of  wealth  to 
rise." 
Indolence,  now  besieged  by  this  command, 
This  vigorous  army,  falls  on  every  hand  ; 
Makes  desperate  trials  at  using  arms  of  war, 
Things  their  soft  hands  had  never  clutched  be- 
fore. 
"Foul  nabob  Divrum!"  thus  the  lazy  Dofif 
Himself    delivered   of    long-treasured    scoff; 
"  'Tis  you  who  dares  Attack  me,  Divrum,  yon, 
Who  from  the  lowest  ranks  your  lineage  drew ; 
You,  who  had  parentage  of  lowest  birth. 
Who   like  the  mushroom   sprung   from   favored 

earth. 
And  this,  your  mob,  upon  my  army  springs, 


io6  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Upon  those  who  descendants  are  of  kings; 

And  who  since  birth  have  been  the  social  class, 

Refined,  polite,  above  your  vulgar  mass. 

You,  Divrum,  you  of  coarsest  mind  and  hand, 

Dare  thus  attack  my  gentle  folk's  command." 
To  which  the  energetic  chief:  *'I  dare! 

And  for  your  lineage  not  an  atom  care. 

These  are  the  days  of  all-triumphant  deeds, 

When  to  be  noble  one  no  lineage  needs. 

You,  sir,  were  born  too  late  to  brag  a  line; 

Hard  work  alone  does  now  the  man  refine." 

So  spake  the  chiefs  while  action  shot  around, 
And    mowed     Doff's    army    shrieking    to    the 

ground. 
Divrum  triumphant  everywhere  is  seen. 
Rigorously  fighting  but  with  tactics  clean. 
A  ball  of  flaming  oil  from  out  his  ranks. 
Ploughs  through  the  center  of  his  foe's  phalanx, 
Explodes  and  scatters  in  a  thousand  ways, 
Setting  the  whole  of  Indolence  ablaze. 
Chariots  and  wagons,  freight  and  weapons  turn 
To  conflagration  and  to  fragments  burn. 
The  forces  stripped  of  clothing,  robbed  of  hair, 
With  blistered  bodies  from  the  battle  tear; 
Leaving  behind  all  armor  red  with  heat, 
Thousands    of     soldiers    cooked     for    vulture's 

meat. 
As  many  horses,  and  a  vanished  name, 
A  glorious  tomb  to  family  nonsense  fame! 

To  Doff's  assistance  flies   chief   Burganand, 
The  chief  of  Vengeance  with  a  full  command; 
Bears  down  on  Energy  with  foot  and  horse, 
To  strike  her  infantry  with  telling  force. 
But  she  resisting  stands  and  not  afraid, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  107 

Till  Justice  seeing  rushes  to  her  aid. 

"Back,    Divrum,    back!"    spoke   just    Beauca- 
leon; 
"I  will  with  Vengeance  battle,  so  begone. 
O'er  Indolence  you  won  a  victory  grand, 
So  rest  while  I  attend  to  Burganand." 

The  Energetic  chief  obeys.     And  then: 
"Now  Vengeance  come  and    meet    the    Justice 

men; 
They  who  have  wisdom,  do  their  best  by  all, 
And  never  do  on  murderous  passions  call ; 
Who,  when  injustice  rules,  attack  the  cause, 
Abide,  though  rotten,  man's  unequal  laws!" 

These   forces   small   compared  to   Vengeance' 
clan. 
Then  charge,  and  bravely  battle  every  man. 
Sublimely  scarred,  in  opposition  skilled, 
The  terror  to  the  mind  with  evil  filled. 
The  just  move  nobly  on  without  concern, 
And  know  they  shall  at  last  the  victory  earn. 

"Though   rotten,   eh?"    chief    Burganand  re- 
plied ; 
"Though  rotten,  by  the  rotten  laws  abide? 
Not  much!  A  man  has  honor  to  maintain, 
And  must  himself  atone   for  personal  pain. 
For  instance  (and  my  tale  is  gray  with  age}^: 
Two  men  in  trouble  fall,  in  blows  engage. 
One  man  is  wealthy,  one  is  very  poor. 
One  robs  by  law  and  drinks  the  other's  gore 
(In    figured    speech)  ;    the    poor    man    mercy 

pleads. 
Says  that  his  body,  blood  a  little  needs. 
At  which  the  wealthy  man  denies  that  right. 
The  poor  man  then  rebels  and  starts  the  fight. 


io8  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  wealthy  coward  surely  is  the  cause. 

But  woe  to  him,  the  poor  man  has  no  laws. 

He  goes  to  jail,  the  convict's  pangs  to  feel, 

While  his  rich  plaintiff  free  is  left  to  steal. 

Such  laws,  sir  chief,  are  not  for  Vengeance,  no! 

I  right  myself  in  every  case  of  woe." 

To  which  the  prince  of  Justice:  "Burganand, 

Your  tale  has  pity  and — I  understand. 

It  is  not  right  that  law  be  partial  ware, 

But  such  it  is,  and  hence  the  poor's  despair. 

Vengeance  was  made  by    law,    without    which 
life. 

With  proper  growth,   would  quit    its    ceaseless 
strife. 

But  Equity  (not  law)  must  then  preside. 

Till  then  fight  for  it,  but  the  law  abide !" 
Just  then  a  scout  rides  up  to  Burganand, 

And    straight   that   chief    withdraws    his    fierce 
command ; 

Salutes  Beaucaleon  and  thus  explains: 

"I  go  to  fight  the  author  of  my  pains; 

Tyranny  (law)  will  Spirit  soon  attack, 

But  ere  she  does  I  wish  to  measure  back. 

She  yonder  comes,  the  statute  fiend  of  hell, 

And  as  she  is  my  greatest  foe,  farewell!" 
This  said,  he  disappears  amidst  his  host, 

To  fight  the  tyrant  who  had  harmed  him  most. 

The  forces  Just  then  down  the  line  proceed. 

To  reinforce  a  sister  state  in  need. 

The  vengeful  chief  now  Tyranny  attacks, 

Till  she  with  dreadful  losses  slowly  backs; 

Turns,  tries  to  flank  her  foe, — without  success. 

Grows  weak   from  slaughter  and  displays  dis- 
tress ; 


The  Rebelliox  of  Hell  109 

For   mercy  pleads.      But  Vengeance    deaf    ap- 
pears. 

She  drunk  with  blood  delights  in  tyrants'  tears ; 

Strikes  right  and  left  with  arms  inspired  by  hate. 

Bent  on  one  subject:  to  annihilate. 

But  when  a  massacre  seemed  almost  sure, 

Chief  Mideon  came  and  wrought  a  fatal  cure. 
"Vengeance,  withdraw !  What  means  this  rebel 
fight? 

Do  you  not  know  we  must  as  one  unite? 

Stay  close  together,  and  harmonious  all, 

Else  carnal  shall  this  day  defeated  fall?" 

Chief  Burganand  replied :  "All  that  I  know ; 

But  Tyranny  is  my  most  mortal  foe. 

With  such  a  fiend  I  never  could  unite, 

Must  now,  and  to  my  death,  this  reptile  fight. 

My  cause  is  just,  my  misery  is  profound, 

Heaven   has   not   harmed   me,   has   not   given   a 
wound ; 

Why  therefore  fight  her?  Nothing  could  I  gain; 

These  tyrants  to  oppress  would  still  remain. 

United  hell,  a  bigot's  whim,  be  damned ! 

I  hell  defy  and  challenge  her  command! 

Come,   Vengeance,  come !   against    these    fiends 
rebel  ; 

Though  not  of  Heaven  we    must  combat    with 
hell !" 
They  then  renew  the  fight  on  every  hand. 

But  ^lideon  true  to  duty  takes  command ; 

Says,  **I  have  pledged  to  hell  and  shall  remain, 

Till  death  or  victory,  chief  without  a   stain ;" 

And  then  leads  off  against  the  rebel  state, 

With  Tyranny's  weakened  arms,  in  battle  great, 

Forms  quick  a  phalanx  of  the  remnant  force, 


no  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  charges    Vengeance,    sweeping    clear    his 

course ; 
And  then  reverses,  turning  here  and  there, 
Till  Vengeance  dwindling  entertains  despair. 
She  bravely  stands  and  battles  to  the  last. 
Yields  up  her  legions  from  grim  clutches  fast, 
Makes  victory  dear  for  carnal's  tyrant  clan, 
And  in  her  death  dies  nobly  to  a  man ; 
With  Burganand  among  the  last  to  fall, 
With  Mideon's  admiration   for  them  all. 

Then  Mideon  gathers  up  the  shattered  ranks 
Of  Tyranny  within  a  thin  phalanx ; 
And  borrows  forces  from  the  states  at  hand, 
To  fill  up  and  restore  that  wrecked  command ; 
And  then  rides  off,  is  soon  beyond  the  sight, 
Is  far  and  near  directing  hell  in  fight. 

Then  Tyranny  is  seen  again  to  move 
Against  her  foe  within  the  ranks  of  Love; 
A  foe  she  fears  and  hates  beyond  compare, 
The  state  of  Equity,  the  just  and   fair. 
The  foe  to  statute-books  of  scheming  cliques 
(Those  wrangling  loafers  raised  by  politics), 
Which  school-bred  lawing  liars  twist  to  suit 
The  purse  or  pull  of  every  lawless  brute; — 
That  deals  by  all  alike,  without  a  part. 
Unknown  to  courts,  known  only  to  the  heart; 
That  ever  has  to  martyrs  been  the  guide; 
That  shall   some  day    (with   systems  wrecked) 
preside. 
The    battle    starts.     A    deafening    crash    re- 
sounds, 
As  each  force  hostile  at  the  other  bounds. 
Tyranny  nerved  by  her  success  of  late 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  ill 

(Though    won    by    Mideon)     charges    Spirit's 

state ; 
Effects  a  passage  half-way  through  her  ranks. 
And,  turning  right  and  left  in  sections,  flanks. 

The  tyrant  chief  Malthedes  then  is  heard: 
'This  so-called  Equity — O  how  absurd! 
These  disappointed  creatures  who  create 
So  much  disorder  in  the  realms  of  state; 
Put  forth  rebellious,  retributive  thought, 
Make  people  malcontented  with  their  lot; 
Say,  law  is  much  unequal  and  verbose. 
Is  for  the  favored,  not  the  masses  gross. 
But  bah!  what  nonsense,  nothing  more  untrue; 
These    liars'    minds    are    palsied    through    and 

through. 
Law  is  the  mediate  state  of  god  to  man, 
And  he  through  him  directs,  as  well  he  can: 
Gives  power  to  learn-ed  bodies  when  they  meet 
And   make   the   statute-books;   which   are   com- 
plete, 
Are  made  for  every  case,  or  great  or  small, 
And  which  deal  justice  to  us  each  and  all." 
The  prince  of  Equity,  chief  Stilvan,  thus: 
"That  sounds  alright,  but  do  not  say  'to  us'; 
Say  rather,  *to  the  few  who  have  the  cash,' 
And  add,  'to  others,  misery  and  the  lash,' 
And  that  'god  influence  making    up    the    law/ 
Is  but  a  mask  to  hold  the  meek  in  awe. 
As  though  the  corporations  and  the  cliques 
Knew  any  god  save  selfish  politics! 
The  pillage,  plunder,  murder  god  of  gold, 
To  which  the  laws,  the  best  of  them,  are  sold; 
Laws  made  to  suit,  concocted  while  you  wait, 
To  hang  a  wretch,  debauch,  or  rob  a  state, 


112  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

You  can  with  mouth  defend  this  ruffian  band,— 

See  if  in  honest  combat  it  will  stand; 

See  if  the  state  of  Equity  is  right: — 

Truth  ever  has  been  proved  by  honest  fight. 

'Tis  Equity,  unbought  but  pledged  to  all, 

Or  law,   the    snake    which    does    to    mammon 

crawl  ; 
That  is  the  issue,  let  us  not  delay. 
Come  on,  and  see  who  conquering  quits  the  day.'* 

This   said,  chief   Stilvan  gives  the    word    to 
charge, 
And  rushes  at  his  adversary  large ; 
Tears  right  and  left  the  flankers  walled  around, 
Rescues  the  troops  cut  off,  and  gains  his  ground ; 
And  then  arranges  all  in  sections  three, — 
One  horse,  one  light — ,  one  heavy-infantry; 
Then  orders  "Charge !"     The  cavalry  is  first. 
They  through  the  center  of  the  tyrants  burst; 
Vanish,  return,  attack  the  foe  again ; 
Make  ready  for  the  sword  and  javelin  men. 
This,  while  the  light's  harassing  arrows  shoot, 
To  mix  in  terror  with  the  foes  afoot. 
Then,  Stilvan  leading,  beautiful  to  see, 
There  charges  close  the  heavy-infantry. 
In  sixteen  cohorts  spreading  like  a  tan. 
They  form  a  wedge  and  break  the  tyrant  clan; 
Straightway  reorganize  in  columns  two. 
To  zig-zag  battle  back  and  through  and  through. 

Tyranny  then  attempts  to  crush  her  foe 
By  one  united,  quick,   ferocious  blow ; 
But  fails — has  losses  nothing  can  rebuild, 
Ten-thousand   injured,  thirty-thousand  killed, 

Then,  seeing  absolute  defeat  before, 
Extermination  should  he  stay  at  war. 


|i 


\n.   ioi    uifttinc' 


114  The  Rebelliox  of  Hell 

The  pedant  chief,  the  pedagogue,  is  heard: 
Thus  to  his  foe:  "What  mean  yoa  by  this  word? 
(He  holds  an  open  book)  The  thought  is  there, 
Is  well  expressed  but  spoiled  for  want  of  care. 
Of  course  I  comprehend  it  in  a  way, 
Sometimes  a  thing  at  first  is  plain  as  day ; 
But  when  investigated,  parsed  and  scanned, 
It  grows  obscure  and  fails  of  rule  to  stand. 
And  so  with  this  word ;  it  is  plain  enough, 
But   wrongly   placed,   and   therefore   dense   and 

rough. 
The  verb,  the  adverb,  adjective  and  noun, 
Must  in  a  book  be  properly  set  down; 
The  rules  of  composition  must  prevail, 
Else  he  who  writes  must  in  his  efforts  fail. 
I  can  not  recommend  your  book  at  all, 
And  hence  it  must  of  its  own  ignorance  fall." 

Chief  Eldamore  of  Intellect  Divine 
Produced  his  book  and  read  the  ** faulty"  line; 
And  then  made  answer:  *'Roshen,  ah,  indeed? 
My  humble  book  is  no  fit  thing  to  read? 
Well,  maybe  not,  but  long  it  has  been  read, 
And  shows  no  signs  as  yet  of  being  dead. 
All  masters  are  indifferent  to  the  rules 
(Such  things  are  left  to  pedagogues  and  fools)  ; 
They  use  them  when  they  do  not  interfere 
With  thought,  invention,  style  and  fancy  clear; 
But  when  they  do,  dismiss  them  for  the  time, 
And  soar  unfettered  in  the  heights  sublime. 
One  to  the  host  of  thinkers  can  not  say 
(As  prophet  to  the  masses)  me  obey. 
Of  all  things  else,  no  law  can  bind  the  pen, 
In  thought  or  rule,  and  poems  give  to  men. 
The  poet's  fancy  soaring  far  and  near, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  I15 

Grows  bold  in  action,  from  obstruction  clear; 
Defies  the  critic,  pedagogue  and  fool, 
Leaves  them  to  crawl  according  to  the  rule; 
Strikes   right   and    left    in     freedom's     fearless 

cause. 
Obeys  the  ear  attuned  to  Nature's  laws 
(But  few  possess  the  proper  kind  of  ear): 
The  laws  to  which  all  poets  do  adhere. 
They   court  the   sweet,    harmonious,    rich    and 

strong, 
The  mind  of  wisdom  and  the  soul  of  song; 
Look  ever  for  the  thought  expressed  by  pen, 
Leave  syntax  to  the  brawls  of  little  men — 
Who  ever  have  at  genius  cast  a  slur. 
The  pedagogue  is  but  the  poet's  cur; 
A  groveling,  snarling,  snapping,  tagging  beast, 
That  lives  on  scraps  his  master  drops  at  feast; 
That  takes  upon  himself  to  criticise 
The  grammar  of  the  best  the  nations  prize, — 
To  point  the  error  of  a  ''faulty"  line. 
But  leave  untouched  its  sentiment  divine. 
That  is  full  right  would  he  remain  at  school, 
Where  children  go  to  read  and  write  by  rule; 
Or  would  remain  amongst  his  fellow  curs, 
That  live  by  throwing  vain  book-studied  slurs; 
But  he  will  not,  but  rather  is  so  bold 
(Pedantic  gall  cannot  its  dictum  hold) 
As  to  discharge  his  nonsense  at  the  wise, 
Who  love  the  poet  but  his  cur  despise." 

Here  Roshen  interrupted  in  a  vein 
To  show  how^  much  superior  was  his  brain: 
"Ye  plenipotentiary  of  barren  thought, 
Whose  retrocopulation  breeds  but  rot; — » 
Whose  vibratility,  stultiloquence 


ii6  The  I^ebelliox  of  Hell 

And  oleasaccharum ;  deciduous  sense, 
Dihexahedral.  frigafective  eye, 
Fumacious,  pungled.  necrological  sigh, 
Representationary,  thecal  pate, 
And  vapid,  incapacious  words  I  hate!" 

"I   fathom  not  your  speech,  perhaps  'tis  so; 
I  take  for  granted  you  the  meaning  know — 
But  no  one  else.     'Tis  past  the  common  ear, 
And  I,  sir,  have  no  dictionary  here. 
Whatever  takes  in  poetry  or  prose, 
Must  issue  forth  arrayed  in  simple  clothes; 
Must  travel  always  with  the  ease  of  birds, — 
Your  ponderous  lines  are  but  a  play  on  words. 
Say  something  if  you   would  attention  win, 
But  if  you  can  not,  better  not  begin." 

About  this  time  the  pedant's  massive  ranks 
Are  joined  by  Egotism's  puffed  phalanx. 
Her  chieftain    Dumphrey,    mankind's    doggerel 

bore, 
Who  with  his  bombast  causes  them  to  snore; 
A\'ho  fills  the  lapses  in  the  span  of  time 
Between  the  seldom  birth's  of  works  sublime; 
Who  causes  many  to  despair  of  art, 
Because  he  fails  to  touch  the  famished  heart, — 
Nods  with  approval  to  the  poet-chief, 
And  thus  to  his  vain  ignorance  gives  relief: 

*'I  do  agree  with  you.     That's  what  I  am, 
I  am  most  simple,  I'm  unschooled  in  sham. 
I'd  never  try  to  be  affected — I ! 
No,  I  can't  do  it,  I'd  much  rather  die. 
Though  I  can  make  as  simple  verse  as  thine, 
I'd  sooner  hang  than  'scape  your  talk  so  firie. 
I,  sir,  and  you,  by  simple  language  'suage 
The  elements  of  converse  and  the  page. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  117 

Its  awful  fine  I  think  to  learn-ed  be, 
Without  book-knowledge  and  in  language  free ; 
In  poetry  come  down  the  mountain  swift, 
Like    we've   done,   not   like   Roshen's   pondVous 
lift." 

To  these  remarks  chief  Roshen  made  reply, 
With  words  which  reached  from  terra  to  the  sky. 
Our  pen  cannot  report  this   learn-ed  man. 
When  he  had  finished  Eldamore  began : 

*'You.  Dumphrey,  are  not  fit  for  notice  here, 
Although  your  kind  need  raking  most  severe. 
I  shall  but  say,  extremes  are  always  bad, 
And  bring  about  in  art  conditions  sad. 
The  happy  medium  ever  is  the  best, 
Is  to  the  poet  Nature's  own  behest. 
She  hates  the  vulgar  and  the  over-wrought. 
Her  pupils  are  most  elegant  of  thought. 
Both  praise  and  censure  must  be  done  wath  care. 
All  must  be  dignified,  refined  and  fair; 
Expression  which  is  absolute  in  point. 
Not  that  which  throws  our  patience  out  of  joint; 
Whole  as  to  words,  not  mangled  by  elision, 
Which  in  itself  effects  a  true  decision. 
The  novice  cuts  because  he  lacks  of  art, 
Becomes  affected,  fails  to  touch  the  heart; 
The  master  only  when  it  comes  with  ease, 
And  never  does  the  sense  of  taste  displease. 
Elision  mav  assist  as  well  as  blot, — 
"  Tis",  "  'twere"  are  proper,  "I'd"  and  'SveVe" 

are  not ; 
But  "suage"  and  ''  'scape"  are  insults  absolute, 
With  such  slang  mama  talks  to  baby  cute. 
Poetry  is  the  vanguard  of  our  race, 
The  brunt  of  battle  she  must  ever  facej 


ii8  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Must  struggle  through  the  wilderness  of  mind. 
Tearing  down  jargon,  making  speech  refined; 
For  with  her,  destiny  of  language  lies, 
At  her  command  it  either  lives  or  dies. 
Hence,  phrases  hackneyed,  doggerel,  course  and 

vile, 
Crawl  far  beneath  her  dignity  of  style. 
And  should  she  once  degenerate  to  cant, 
Her  sister  Prose  is  justified  to  rant 
Sisters  were  ever  so :  the  least  in  years, 
To  her  superior  turns  with  trustful  ears ; 
Therefore,  the  senior  should  be  wisely  pure, 
And  keep  her  character  in  bounds  secure.'* 

At  this  advice  the  pedant  chief  explodes, 
With     mammoth     words    the    whole     assembly 

goads ; 
Storms  round  the  field  with  lexiphanic  strides, 
Bellows  forth  language  that  would  turn  the  tides. 

The  troops  of  Egotism  quit  the  ground, 
Back  to  their  mountains  run  in  fright  profound. 
And  Pedantry's  own  stay  is  quite  as  brief, — 
They  cork  their  ears,  in  terror  fly  the  chief. 
And  even  Intellect  Divine  recedes, 
Leaving  the  sage  expounding  to  the  weeds. 

At  length,  he  sees  his  army  gone  afar,         ' 
Shakes,  drops  his  weapons,  springs  within  a  car, 
Lashes  the  steeds  and  o'er  the  desert  winds. 
Thus  ends  the  conflict  of  the  scribbling  minds. 

Then  plaintive  Sorrow  and  unwavering  Hope, 
In  brief  contention,  come  within  our  scope. 
They  move  around  awhile  without  result, 
When  speaks  Bensolus,  chief  of  Sorrow's  cult* 

*'0  radiant  Hope,  if  you  could  only  know 
The  misery  crushed  desires  on  man  bestow  | 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  119 

The  calm,  the  beauteous  light  I  never  see, 
No  day  its  rosy  garment  wears  for  me. 
Alone,  companions  none,  with  hell  my  foe, 
And  Heaven  besides,  I  nothing  have  but  woe." 

Hope's  chief.  Prince  Servaton,  made  answer 
thus: 
"Why  blame  the  nether  world,  or  even  us? 
The  fault  is  thine;  none  court  the  woeful  tear, 
Man  seeks  companions  who  will  help  and  cheer. 
And  man  in  grief  can  ever  find  a  friend 
(H  he  but  strive)  to  help  his  troubles  end; 
Some  noble  heart  has  ever  grief  allayed 
(And  yet,  the  brave  man  struggles  without  aid). 
When  sorrow  wins  it  is  by  self-consent. 
The  sun  shines  not  through  clouds  of  discontent, 
The  birds  sing  not  when    thunder    shakes    the 

skies. 
And  hope  without  a  brave  endeavor,  dies. 
Beautiful  Hope,  as  constant  as  the  sun, 
That  guides  the  brave  until  the  fight  is  won; 
That  beckons  onward,  upward  through  it  all, 
And  unlike  rash  ambition  can  not  fall. 
Triumphant  Hope,  that  noble  hearts  obey, 
That  through  the  deepest  sorrow  leads  the  way; 
Combats  all  opposition  to  the  last. 
Or  makes  it  beat  a  full  retreat  and  fast. 
Therefore,  O  Sorrow,  your  command  retire, 
Else  I  shall  be  compelled  to  open  fire." 

But  Sorrow  hesitates  to  draw  away. 
So  Hope  advances  without  more  delay; 
Attacks  and  with  her  javelins  sweeps  the  plains, 
Mows  right  and  left  until  she  victory  gains. 

But  before  Sorrow  suffered  this  disgrace. 
Both  ran  abreast  of  Melancholy's  race. 


I20  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Glaco,  the  chief,  exclaimed:  "Why  hither,  Hope, 
Where  wretches  deep-depressed  forever  grope? 
You  can  not  help  us,  neither  can  you  harm, 
We  lie  beyond  the  reach  of  Hope's  alarm; 
Within  the  province  of  unbreaking  night, 
Where  wretches  blue    retire    when    robbed    of 
light." 
Prince  Servaton  replied:  ''The  fault  is  thine. 
You  rob  yourselves,  for  fails  the  sun  to  shine? 
Or  rather,  take  your  metaphor.     The  night ! 
The  time  to  weigh  one's  sorrow  and  delight. 
Those  helpful  hours  that  bridge  the  pilgrim  o'er 
From  sad  reverses  to  the  tranquil  shore.  ^ 

Or  when  the  stars  enchant  or  when  the  moon, 
The  night  of  blessings  passes  all  too  soon. 
The  night!  in  which  the  poet  works  in  gold, 
In  which  the  lover  whispers  joys  untold. 
In  which  is  sorrow  too ;    the  wretch's  own, 
When  weary  he  must  be  with  self  abne ; 
That  awful  self  which  robs  his  soul  of  sleep, 
Which  makes  him  fancy  he  shall  ever  weep — 
When  something  lifts  with  resolutions  strong. 
When  sweet  as  myrrh  the  sorrow  melts  to  song. 
O  night!  O  starry  sister  of  the  day! 
Tears,  tears  unnumbered  hast  thou  wiped  away; 
Hast  touched  the  soul  when  boundless  sunshine 

failed, 
Enriched  the  heart  and  past  misfortunes  veiled. 
O  night!  eternal  mother  of  the  dawn! 
Whose  stars  illume  till  darkness  all  is  gone; 
Till  every  sorrow  fades  within  the  light; — 
To  love  the  day  one  must  embrace  the  night. 
But  look;  Despondency  with  legions  large 
Is  coming  t'ward  you — ^you  had  better  charge!" 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  121 

He  heeded  not.     Despondency  in  haste 
Attacks  him,  lays  one-third  his  army  waste, 
Captures  the  rest,  then  battles   Sorrow's  ranks, 
Who   crushed   by    Hope    surrender    with    their 
thanks. 

Then  Kibber,  chief  of  Despond,  Hope  addrest: 
"Dare  not  again  my  subjects  to  molest! 
I  stand  supreme  o'er  all  the  states  of  grief, — 
Although  they  hate  me,  I  remain  their  chief. 
By  them  Despondency's  commands  are  swelled: 
By  Sorrow  first  the  proselyte  is  held; 
And  next  is  passed  to   Melancholy's  care, 
Then  I  (when  grief  has  ripened  him)  ensnare." 

Hearing  of  Despond's  mutinous  attack. 
Chief  Mideon  comes — his  face  from  anger  black ; 
With  daggers  shooting  from  his  piercing  eyes — 
And  thus  to  Kibber  with  vehemence  cries: 
"What  means  this,  sir ;  hast  thou  so  soon  forgot. 
Hell  now  is  organized  as  one  in  thought? 
Dost  know  that  carnal  falls  if  she  rebel? 
'Tis  either  hell  united  or  no  hell!" 

Saying,  he  separates  the  three  commands, 
Places  each  in  its  proper  general's  hands; 
Charges  them  stay  at  peace,  united  cope 
Their  common  foe,  the  sovereign  state  of  Hope; 
Then  as  rebuke  to  Kibber,  orders  Guy, 
Desire's  commander,  to  the  post  most  high; 
And,  giving  him  instructions,  rides  away, 
To  mix  in  and  direct  the  whole  affray. 

The  general  of  Desire,  on  terms  of  war, 
Then  to  the  chieftains  of  his  armies  four: 
"We  now  are  joined,  are  organized  as  one. 
To  battle  Hope  till  her  career  is  run. 
Hope,  what  is  Hope  ?  a  phantom  without  form, 


122  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  distant  lighthouse  in  misfortune's  storm, 
Which  provokes  dreams  of  land  not  far  away, 
Dreams  which  capsizing  founder  and  decay. 
What  is  desire?  'tis  wishes  without  end, 
Which  one  to  gain  may  deep  in  hell  descend ; 
Which  stops  at  nothing,  though  a  nation  bleed ; 
Excels  in  finance,  politics  and  creed. 
And  now,  sir  chieftains,  Hope  is  my  desire; 
Come,  battle  her  until  her  ranks  expire." 

Again  the  trumpets  sound,  and  blows  begin. 
One  righteous  state  assailed  by   four  of  sin, 
Returns  each  volley  with  an  equal  force. 
Matches  both  cohorts,  infantry  and  horse; 
Off-sets  at  every  move  Desire's  command, 
Which  soon  becomes  remiss  on  every  hand, 
Soon  breaks  to  pieces  like  a  fallen  plate. 
To  scatter  o'er  the  plains  in  chaos  great. 

Hope's  prince  addresses  Guy :  ''Ere  you  retire, 
Heaven's  judgmiCnt  know,  the  wages  of  desire: 
You  may  in  masquerade  your  features  hide, 
Wish  sinful  things  and  have  successes  wide — 
In  hell;  but  when  abreast  an  issue  just, 
The  mask  is  raised,  you  crawl  a  thing  of  dust: 
A  greedy  reptile  loving  none  but  self. 
Whose  vile  offspring  has  choked  the  world  with 

pelf. 
That  all  the  nobly  great  with  scorn  deny. 
For  wishes  without  Hope  in  misery  die. 
Hence,  your  successes,  molded  out  of  sin, 
Have  built  a  dungeon,  you  to  bury  in. 
Heaven  has  exposed  you,  here  her  duties  end; 
Hell  will  destruction  to  its  own  extend.'* 

Piety  next.  Fanaticism's  command, 
Opposing  battles  her  on  every  hand. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  123 

For  hours  they  struggle,  when  to  hell's  relief 
Idolatry  arrives.     And  thus  her  chief: 

'*Ho  ye,  chief  Balachi !  withdrawn  from  fight, 
While  I  alone  put  Piety  to  flight. 
You  sir,  too  blinded  are  by  sacred  thought 
To  gain  a  victory  o'er  her  jealous  lot." 

"Too  blinded,  nonsense!"  Answered  Balachi; 
*'Dare  you  presume  to  doubt  the  pozver  on  high? 
Presume  my  god  is  other  than  the  word? 
Presume  he  can  not  win  from  man  absurd? 
Nonsense  !     This  truth-pretending  Piety, 
To  fight  and  slaughter,  god  has  ordered  me. 
The  edict  is  inspired,  the  voice  divine. 
The  truth  shall  conquer  and  that  truth  is  mine; 
All  else  is  blasphemy,  and  we,  the  just, 
Must  it  return  to  death,  as  dust  to  dust." 

Then,  foaming  at  the  mouth,  with  eyes  ablaze, 
He  plunges  at  the  motive  of  his  craze. 
Prince  Luvanelus  answers  to  the  call, 
And  cries  aloud  while  swords  and  axes  fall: 

"Come  on.  Fanaticism,  and  test  your  creed. 
The  word  proves  not  religion  but  the  deed. 
You  have  addressed  us  on  the  truth  inspired, 
But  results  tell  which  one  by  it  is  fired. 
Whether  'tis  ignorant  fervor  drunk  and  blind. 
Or  reason  throned  within  the  thinking  mind." 

And    then    the    chiefs     (their    armies    close 
around) 
Meet  in  the  center,  in  a  fight  profound. 
Fanaticism,  although  a  state  of  hell, 
Thinking  his  ranting  views  of  Heaven  befell, 
Plunged  his  mad  sword  in  Luvanelus'  breast, 
And  while  the  sufferer  staggered  him  addrest: 


124  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

"There,  that  will  show.    Results,  as  you  have 
said. 
Prove  which  of  us  by  righteous  thought  is  led. 
*Tis  god's  command  the  vile  blasphemer  die, 
So  now  I  shall  despatch  you  where  you  lie!'* 

But  Luvanelus  had  a  mind   (not  creed). 
And  used  it  till  his  body  failed  to  bleed; 
Jumped  up  in  time  to  thwart  his  foeman's  sword, 
And  with  his  own  the  faith-mad  creature  gored. 
He  shrieking  fell,  as  Luvanelus  cried, 
"Results!"  and  hastened  to  the  sufferer's  side; 
Him  placed  within  a  chariot  near  at  hand. 
And  then  addressed  Fanaticism's  command: 
"Your  chieftain  suffers  and  your  ranks  have  lost; 
To  stay  afield  will  you  severely  cost; 
You  can  do  nothing;  it  were  wise  to  go. 
Not  cause  us  to  inflict  more  needless  woe." 

Fanaticism  (well  knowing  he  was  right) 
Laid  down  their  arms  and  quit  the  fatal  fight; 
Concluding  they  had  met  defeat  because 
God  wished  to  punish  them  for  breaking  laws. 
His  wisdom  infinite  they  knew  was  just; 
To  teach  them  he  had  leveled  them  to  dust. 

And  while  these  ranks    withdrew   to    deepest 
hell. 
This  from  Idolatry's  commander  fell: 
"Now,  Luvanelus,  strive  to  conquer  Dan, 
The  chieftain  of  the  gross  material  clan. 
Fanaticism  has  dropped  beneath  your  sword. 
Because  she  worshipped  not  an  actual  lord; 
But  what  of  me?  I  nothing  sacred  hold 
Which  my  ten  fingers  can  not  well  infold; 
Or  can  not  well  be  seen  with  mortal  sight. 
Or  brought  to  bear  by  brave  untiring  fight" 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  125 

This  said,  the  tide  of  battle  drifts  to  him, 
And  forthwith  rises  to  a  cHmax  grim. 
Piety  gives  full  license  to  her  arms, 
Which  spread  around  the  truth-approved  alarms ; 
Until  the  state  that  worships  golden  ties, 
Throws  down  all  weapons  and  for  safety  flies. 

Prince   Luvanelus   then   addresses   Dan, 
Who  stays  until  deserted  by  his  clan : 
**I  like  your  honesty  of  speech,  sir  chief; 
You  mince  not  words  concerning  your  belief. 
You  worship  pelf  without  the  mask  of  creed, 
And  to  procure  it  without  god  proceed ; 
The  better  way.  It  seldom  wrecks  the  home. 
Makes    man    from    honor,    wife    and    children 

roam — 
To  hate  domestic  ties  and  love  resign. 
But  women  are  most  numerous  in  this  line." 

Just  then,  the  reptile  hating  family  ties, 
The  state  of  Loveless  Woman,  at  him  flies. 
"How  dare  you,  sir,  insult  the  higher  plane 
Woman  acquires  when  she  discards  the  chain, 
The  shackles  of  confinement,  household  toils, 
The  bonds  of  slavery,  man  around  her  coils! 
The  day  of  "woman  and  the  home"  is  past; 
Woman  from  man  has  freedom  gained  at  last!" 

So  shrieked  the  chiefess  Noami.     The  prince 
Replied:    "But,  madam,  why  the  matter  mince? 
She  never  did,  and  never  will,  ascend 
By  hating  man,  her  most  abiding  friend; 
By  aping  him  in  his  particular  sphere, 
Which  when  compared  to  hers  is  most  severe; 
By  opposition  to  her  natural  berth, 
Of  making  home  the  grandest  place  on  earth; — 
In  brief,  by  sacrificing  heart  and  hand. 


126  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  peerless  sceptre  of  her  true  command; 
And  growing  coarse  and  cold,  to  honor  dead, 
Neglecting,  raking  him  who  wins  her  bread; 
Causing  the  vile  divorce  pest  to  increase, 
Destroying  home,  the  moral  code  and  peace." 

At  this  the  chiefess  interrupts  in  rage, 
Orders  her  ranks  with  Piety's  engage; 
But  Clement  bids  the  pious  state  retire, 
Bids  Beauty  meet  the  Loveless  Woman's  fire. 

**Now  you  have  come!"    shrieked    Noami    to 
Cland, 
The  chiefess  of  the  natural  sex  command. 
"Those  insults  Luvanelus  heaped  on  me, 
Were  not  enough,  I  still  must  hear  from  thee!" 

"But  were  they  insults?"  Cland  in  answer  said. 
**Did  they  not  paint  the  Loveless  Woman's  head? 
You  burst  in  rage  when  Luvanelus  made 
A  picture  true  to  life  in  every  shade. 
When  beauty  has  departed,  womankind 
Artists  to  paint  to  suit  them  can  not  find ; 
They    demand    something     other    than     them- 
selves,— 
If  monsters,  they  must  be  portrayed  as  elves." 

"Monsters !  false  creature,  you  lie  worse  than 
man. 
That  wretch  who  long  on  woman  kept  a  ban; 
Who  now  has  fallen  far  beneath  her  sphere. 
Which  has  from  tyrant  mis-rule  battled  clear. 
That  wretch!   who  would  have  woman   live  so 

prim, 
Bear  children,  stay  securely  housed — for  him, 
That  wretch!  licentious  monster,  think  of  it! 
He  would  with  all  his  sin  above  us  sit; 
When  we  can  do  as  well  with  arm  and  mind 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  127 

Every  last  thing  he  can.    The  manly  kind! 
Bah,  bah!  what  nonsense,  what  injustice  there; 
To  call  them  manly,  brave — and  us  but  fair, — 
The  gentle  sex,  the  loving  sex, — this  when 
The  word  "man"  means  that  we  are  also  men. 
And  knowing  this,  you  still  agree  with  them, 
Remain  old-fashioned  and  my  cause  condemn." 
The  chiefess  Cland :  "Your  concept  of  the  sex 
Betrays    the   curse    which     homes    unnumbered 

wrecks. 
Perhaps  your  husband   is  a  monster  base; 
Even  so,  why  prejudice  for  all  the  race? 
Why  slurk  in  homes  where  love  and  peace  pre- 
vail, 
Ruin  the  woman  and  the  man  assail? 
Fill  her  with  discontent  for  married  life, 
Unfit  her  for  a  mother  and  a  wife? 
Heaven  is  content ;  when  love  and  home  are  one, 
Damned  be  the  wretch    that    leaves    them    not 

alone ! 
Party  or  creed,  or  man  or  woman,  halt ! 
Enter  ye  not  the  home  that  has  no  fault. 
And  now  I  answer  you.     It  was  not  man 
That  long  on  woman  kept  the  tyrant's  ban ; 
But  her  belief  in  creed,  by  prophet  built 
To  satisfy  his  lust  and  right  his  guilt; 
Which  forced  through  fear  its  victims  into  line, 
To  renounce  Nature  and  be  less  than  swine. 
Here  woman,  to  a  life  of  drudgery  sold, 
To  worse  than  drudgery,  would  the  creed  up- 
hold ; 
Accepting  it  as  truth  inspired  of  God, 
Without  first  reasoning  to  detect  the  fraud. 
Therefore,  not  man  but  woman  is  to  blame, 


128  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Her  leaving  Nature  for  a  life  of  shame. 
But  you  will  say,  man  made  her  by  brute-force 
Accept  of  creed,  which    takes    the    downward- 
course. 
Ah,  no ;  with  her  own  nature's  weapons  bright, 
Fair  woman  can  put  stupid  creed  to  flight — 
And  even  armies,  should  they  dare  molest; 
The  strength  of  Caesar  lies  in  woman's  breast. 
Therefore,  a  woman  needs  but  woman  be 
To  rank  with  man,  his  equal,  loved  and  free. 
Like  him  as  great,  she  has  her  power  and  place, 
But  to  renounce  them  is  to  fall  from  grace ; 
Is  to  acknowledge  her  own  weakness  great, 
And  to  proclaim  herself  a  slave  to  hate." 

This  speech  at  end,  Noami  tried  to  speak, 
But  failed  of  voice  save  one  inhuman  shriek; 
As  wrath-rebellious  burst  a  jugular  vein, 
And  sent  her  dying,  headlong  to  the  plain. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  129 


CANTO  THE  EIGHTH. 

A  cloud  of  dust  next  occupies  our  sight, 
'Tis  Discord  shuffling  to  the  destined  fight. 
They  now  are  seen,  and  each  for  battle  thirsts ; 
A\'hen  Harmony's  command  upon  them  bursts: 
Them  intercepts  and  curbs  their  bold  advance, 
For  battle  stands  with  ready  sword  and  lance. 

Then  Waraluke,  of  Discord's  state  the  head, 
To  Sumitar,  the  chief  harmonious,  said: 
*'Out  of  my  way,  Prince  Sumitar;  begone! 
To  fight  chief  Clement  we  must  travel  on; 
Not  stop  and  with  a  mere  sub-chief  engage; 
None  but  the  head  can  Discord's  ranks  assuage.' 

To  which  chief  Sumitar  replied :  "That  so  ? 
Well,  we  shall  see  that  you  no  further  go; 
That  here  you  quite  sufficient  fighting  see, — 
You  battle  not  with  Clement  but  with  me." 

The  trumpets  then  to  each  their  armies  call, 
And  hastening  forward  both  to  battle  fall. 
No  discipline  unites  the  state  Discord, 
Her  chieftain  only  is  in  name  the  lord ; 
While  Harmony  is  perfect  of  command, 
With  one  to  lead  her  with  a  master  hand. 

The  crowds  of  Discord  rapidly  decrease 
Before  these   forces   mobilized   in  peace. 
They,  concentrated  on  the  one  design. 
Small  labor  need  to  break  their  foeman's  line. 
This  done,  Dissension  more  dissensious  grows, 


130  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

No  difference  sees  between  her  friends  and  foes; 

Attacks  herself  on  every  hand,  and  sends 

To  ground  with  every  foe  a  score  of  friends. 

"Hold  thou  together!"  Waraluke  commands. 
"Captains  to  duty,  pacify  your  bands. 
What,  think  you  we  can  win  in  this  affray. 
When  Discord  their  own    brothers    strike    and 

slay? 
Turn  savagely  on  self  because  the  foe 
Does  at  the  start  the  better  warrior  show?" 

"Back !  now  collect  your  men — move  forward 
— charge !" 
'Tis  done.   Both  generals  mix  their  forces  large ; 
Move  round  the  field  in  conflict  most  severe, 
Till  Harmony  effects  a  passage  clear; 
Drives  through  and  through  and  zig-zags  every- 
where, 
Till  her  opponent  strikes  in  great  despair; 
Acknowledges  her  forces'  full  defeat. 
Throws  down  her  arms  and  makes  a  quick  re- 
treat. 

Chief  Sumitar  chief  Waraluke  addrest: 
"Discord  has  fought  and  done  her  very  best; 
But  what  could  she  accomplish  after  all? 
All  things  must  work  in  concord  or  must  fall. 
The  peace  of  heart,  or  mind,  or  home,  or  state, 
By  it  is  measured,  either  small  or  great. 
The  doubter  needs  but  look  on  Nature's  plan, 
To  learn  that  concord  must  abide  with  man; 
Without   which    darkness   would   command   the 

sun, 
Without  which  no  achievement  could  be  won." 

Ingratitude  is  next  in  war  reviewed, 
Against  which  is  assembled  Gratitude. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  131 

They  fight  awhile,  both  giving  stroke  for  stroke, 
When  chief  Obestes  of  the  Ingrates  spoke: 

"Hold,  Tamaris.  hold  !  I  suffer  violent  pain. 
Your  sword  has  cut  and  opened  up  a  vein. 
Be  valiant,  sir ;  until  I  check  the  flow, 
Assail  me  not,  and  thereby  kindness  show." 

Chief  Tamaris  him  obeyed.     Not  only  that, 
But  bade  his  troops  postpone  their  own  combat; 
Drew  up  awaiting  his  opponent's  time. 
While  far  above  him  winged  a  bird  sublime. 
A  stately  eagle,  monarch  of  the  air, 
In  circling  beauty  soaring  here  and  there. 
A  god  in  feathers  that  will  not  be  bound, 
Whose  love  of  freedom  is  his  creed  profound; 
That  rides  the  winds,    commanding    from    the 

skies, 
That  from  his  mountain  throne  the  world  defies; 
That  ever  grateful  for  his  freedom's  air. 
Adores  the  brave,  the  noble  and  the   fair. 

The  bird  the  grateful  troops'  attention  draws, 
When  without  warning  Ingrate  breaks  the  pause ; 
Attacks  them  ere  they  can  themselves  possess, 
And  throws  them  in  a  state  of  deep  distress; 
Them  strikes  until  not  one  has  failed  to  bleed ; — 
A  noble  payment  for  the  kindly  deed ! 

But  ah,  that  stately  eagle  shrieks,  beware! 
And  swoops  to  terra  to  assist  the  fair ; 
Sinks  deep  his  talons  in  Obestes's  heart, 
Pecks  out  his  eyes  and  tears  his  tongue  apart ; 
Then  rolls  his  own  fierce  eyes  on  Ingrate's  ranks, 
That  burn  within  their  souls  the  sense  of  thanks; 
And  then  with  tightened  talons  on  his  prey, 
Unfolds  his  wings  and  shrieking  flies  away. 

The  state  of  Prejudice  observed  this  scene, 


132  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  straight  set  out  upon  a  mission  mean; 
Approached  the  Grateful  state.     Then  thus  in 

brief 
Spoke  Personesus,  the  ignoble  chief: 

"This,  Tamaris,  is  a  blot  upon  the  war, 
To  have  an  eagle  trained  above  you  soar, 
Awaiting  the  conclusion  of  the  fight, 
And  then  in  your  defense  on  earth  alight 
(This  when  you  had  most  fairly  met  defeat), 
Obestes  kill  and  him  of  victory  cheat." 

Chief  Tamaris  thus  replied:  "An  eagle  tame? 
As  well  attempt  to  quench  a  crater's  flame. 
The  noble  bird  of  freedom  one  can  bind, 
Still,  unsubdued  his  spirits  heavenward  wind; 
For  to  be  tamed  a  heart  must  first  be  bound. 
Therefore,    the    great    but    seldom    touch    the 

ground. 
High  up  they  soar  in  freedom's  wild  delight, 
Defy  the  wrong  and  battle  for  the  right!" 

This  scarce  had  been  delivered  when  the  large 
Command  of  Prejudice  presumed  to  charge. 
A  buzz  of  arrows,  then  a  groan  of  spears, 
And  Gratitude  for  heavier  action  clears. 
The  crashing  axe  that  brains  what  it  destroys, 
The  sword  of  greater  grief  and  lesser  noise. 
In  conflict  deep  engage.     And  then  a  pause. 
Prejudice  conquered  from  the  field  withdraws; 
Broken  and  bleeding,  past  all  power  to  heal, 
With  "ifs"  and  curses  for  the  victor's  steel. 
They    fade    from    view    amidst    the    bordering 

woods. 
To  mix  their  troubles  with  Ingratitude's. 

Close,  Liberality  against  the  state 
Of  Bigots  next  is  seen  in  conflict  great. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  133 

But  ere  the  battle  chief  Perenus  spake: 
"Strevas,  the  truth  will  soon  your  legions  break. 
They  cannot  long  endure  the  righteous  sword. 
God  bids  that  every  man  of  sin  be  gored, 
My  troops  are  right,  they  serve  a  righteous  end, 
And  to  the  letter,  holy  truth  extend — 
And  honest  government,  approved  of  god, 
Opposed  to  that  which  leads  the  wicked  crowd ; 
Therefore,  bold  tyrant,  tremble  when  you  line 
Your  sinful  ranks  against  the  state  divine: 
Which  is  full  right  in  all  it  undertakes. 
Which  trusting  father  no  concession  makes  : 
Which  does   for  him  all  things  both  great  and 

small, 
Never  refusing  once  his  righteous  call. 
We  fight  for  truth,  our  cause  he  does  sustain; 
That  yours  is  wrong,  that  ours  is  right,  is  plain — 
Of  course!  how  could  your  faith  be  otherwise? 
Buddhism  in  all  but  name — a  scourge  of  lies." 

"Perenus,"  thus  Prince  Strevas  made  reply, 
"Your  speech  is  loose,  athwart  the  billows  high: 
From  which  I  gather  that  all  truth  is  thine, 
That  I  possess  no  principle  divine. 
Buddha,  my  prophet? — no.    But  who  was  he? 
A  Hindoo? — yes.    His  faith,  the  Deity — 
Of  whom  reflections  are  mankind  and  earth: 
Virgin  pure  doctrine  of  most  ancient  birth. 
Thought  growing  keeps  itself  in  just  repair, 
Throws  off  the  evil  as  the  centuries  wear; 
Gathers  new  truths  from  every  righteous  mind, 
Little  by  little,  to  improve  mankind. 
What  matters  it  where  precious  gems  are  found  ? 
Truth  is  but  Truth,  why  Buddha  then  unsound  ? 
He  felt  the  Love-God  knocking  at  his  breast, 


134  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Admitted  him,  and  taught  as  he  knew  best. 
Rough,  to  be  sure.    The  diamond  first  is  rough, 
But  it  will  sparkle  if  man  chips  enough. 
Older  than  Buddha  still  this  sacred  gem, 
Past  history  to  record  or  man  condemn. 
At  length,  from  time  to    time,    from    shore    to 

shore, 
The  centuries  rolled  this  gem  to  Plato's  door; 
From  Socrates  and  Buddha  rolled  it  there, 
From  whence  it  issued  soon  a  bible  rare ; 
But  like  all  other  works,  possessed  of  dross, 
Still  none  the  worse  for  this  apparent  loss. 
In  time,  one  came  and  many  spots  removed : 
Sage  Plato  taught  but  pilgrim  Jesus  proved; 
Proved  well  his  way  but  not  by  bigot's  creed. 
Nor  velvet  speech,  but  simply  through  the  deed. 
In  this  great  Plato  failed ;  'twas  his  to  scan ; 
But  honor  him — he  taught  the  greater  man." 

This  speech  is  stopped  by  battle's  fresh  alarms ; 
Deification  hurries  forth  her  arms. 
Her  general  Vadal  thus:     "Sir  liberal  chief. 
These  last  remarks  to  naught  bring  your  belief; 
When  make  you  Jesus,  prince  of  Christian  kind, 
A  pagan  scholar  of  Platonic  mind. 
By  man  untaught  in  Truth,  it  came  to  him. 
Inspired :  he  needed  not  the  college  dim." 

To  which  chief  Strevas :  "Right,  he  zvas  in- 
spired, 
But  one  must  labor  though  by  Wisdom  fired. 
Labor  is  God's;  and  Jesus  ere  he  taught, 
Or  did  great  deeds,   for    Truth    through    ages 

sought. 
Inspired? — all  good  attempts  of  man  are  such; 
Laziness  never  felt  that  heavenly  touch. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  135 

Jesus'  whole  life  denotes  a  vigorous  mind, 
And  most  of  him  we  can  in  i^lato  find. 
But  that  is  nothing ;  thought  is  common  ware, 
Comes  like  the  wmd  with  ages  foul  or  fair; 
So  fills  the  world  that  man  will  breathe  it  in. 
His  faith  should  be  to  know  the  Truth  from  sin ; 
And  knowing  Truth,  use  all  of  it  each  day, 
Not  save  what  suits  and  throw  the  rest  away. 
This  is  the  curse  which  makes  the  church  a  pest. 
Church  dwarfs  the  mind  and  chills  the   loving 

breast ; 
Says  this  is  Truth  and  that  a  man-made  fraud, 
And  thereby  closes  out  the  whole  of  God. 
Church  gets  a  ray  of  light  and  thinks  it  all, 
When  every  day  new  blessings  on  us  fall. 
But  only  those  who  will  not  bow  and  creep, 
The  benefit  of  these  great  blessings  reap. 
Lx)ve  absolutely  can  not  fit  the  creeds. 
Love  is  too  big  for  church,  it  planets  needs — 
The  whole  great  Universe  in  which  to  move, 
In  which  to  labor  and  mankind  improve. 
The  pilgrim  Jesus  taught  that,  Love  is  all, 
Broke   idols,   scored   the  church   and   raised   the 

pall; 
And  so  they  slew  him  like  a  common  thief — 
Then  built  up  churches  on  the  Christ  belief. 
But  ah,  alas,  they  made  his  words  to  suit 
Their  vile,  enslaving  methods  absolute; 
Interpolated,  changed  and  took  away, 
Until  we  little  have  of  him  to-day." 

"Wrong,  sir,"  replied  chief  Vadal ;  ''one  has 
restored. 
Just  as  they  were,  the  teachings  of  our  lord. 
They  suffered  at  the  hands  of  churches  long. 


136  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Until  one  came,  our  pious  prophet  strong: 
To  found  the  one  rehgion  that  is  right, 
To  lead  the  world  from  darkness  on  to  light; 
To  fill  the  office  prophesied  of  old — 
Christ's  second  coming  to  the  hapless  fold; 
To  teach  the  absolute  impersonal  god. 
To  prove  the  world  unreal,  a  mortal  fraud; 
To  be  the  only  channel  and  design 
Of  truth  and  love  impersonal  and  divine ; 
On  whom  some  day  all  people  must  believe, 
And  till  they  do  in  darkness  live  and  grieve. 
Greatest  of  leaders,  precious,  dear,  belov'd: 
I  thank  you  that  you  have  my  life  improved; 
I  thank  you  that  you  have  the  truth  restored, 
I  thank  you  for  a  just,  impersonal  lord. 
My  mind,  my  soul,  my  all-in-all  are  thine, 
The  source  impersonal  of  all  things  divine." 
To   which   the   prince:   *'No   more  of   this,   I 
pray! 
For  look — above — within  that  cloudlet  gray — - 
It  moves — is  mortal  flesh  and  mortal  blood — 
A  halo  round  its  head  to  prove  it  good — 
Impersonal,  no! — as  personal  as  of  old — 
That  ancient  idol  but  in  matter  rolled — 
A  self-made  god — an  image  same  as  thee — 
Thine  eyes  are  raised  but  it  thou  canst  not  see! 
And  why? — O  hero-worshipper,  beware — 
You  tear  down  God  and  raise  a  mortal  there  1 
Give  credit  full  but  deify  not  skin. 
For  such  is  subject  to  the  clutch  of  sin. 
In  praising  man  from  God  go  not  away. 
All-nothing  make  Him  and  to  ego  pray. 
Better  a  personal  god  to  worship  than. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  137 

Through   ignorance  chained,  create    a    god    of 
man." 

While    this    debate    the    chieftains'    time    en- 
gaged, 
Around  in  rapid  fight  their  armies  raged; 
Until  at  last  the  Bigots'  blinded  ranks. 
Meet  with  defeat  before  their  foe's  phalanx. 
It  ploughs  them  through  with  blended  shield  and 

spear, 
Tears  loose  their  center  and  destroys  their  rear; 
Divides,   reverses   and   attacks   the   wings, 
And  them  to  almost  full  destruction  brings. 
And  then  the  rest,  with  smiles  sarcastic,  sweet, 
Burning  within  with  murderous  scorn,  retreat. 

Deification   through   the   battle's   scope 
Gains  nothing  and  at  last  surrenders  hope. 
Seeing  the  Bigots'  arms  to  splinters  sent, 
Their  own  best  forces  without  victory  spent ; 
That  hero-worship  is  a  murderous  leech, 
Sucking  the  blood  of  Truth  with  fetish  speech, 
Disgusting  to  the  unbound  thinking  class. 
They  from  the  Liberals  to  safe  regions  pass; 
As  their  flesh-idol  from  its  dangling  cloud. 
Falls  crashing!  to  be  trampled  by  the  crowd. 

Stability  is  next  in  conflict  rough. 
Commanded  by  the  sin-bewildering  Zuff. 
He  roars  a  charge ;  his  giants  straight  obey ; 
Fiercely   their   ponderous   battle-axes   play. 
No  other  weapons  did  this  army  bring, 
Nor  horse;  its  foot  is  axe  from  wing  to  wing: 
And  need  they  nothing  else  in  various  arms 
To  deal  out  Truth-convincing,  quick  alarms. 

DupHcity's  command  before  them  backs, 
Unable  to  return  their  fierce  attacks; 


138  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

For  mercy  pleads  but  only  pleads  in  vain, — 
The  ponderous  axes'  blows  but  faster  reign. 

"Sir  Zuff,  divine  commander  of  the  brave," 
Chief  Orthon  thus,  "O  save  my  army,  save! 
Withdraw  that  awful  axe,  most  noble  chief, 
Turji  not  on  innocence  a  trumpet  deaf. 
Listen,  and  know  I  have  forever  been 
Your  friend,  admirer,  and  a  foe  to  sin ; 
Ready  at  all  times  to  defend  your  cause, 
To  share  the  hardships  and  to  give  applause. 
Strike  not  the  faithful,  who  for  you  would  die; 
O  cease,  great  genius,  cease;  your  friend  am  I!" 

'*Liar,  not  so!"  the  battering  chief  responds; 
"Between  us  no  love  ties  those  sacred  bonds. 
You,  you  my  friend?  to  whom  is  not  two-faced? 
Devil  to-day,  to-morrow  angel  chaste ! 
To-day  admirer  and  to-morrow  foe, 
A  praise,  a  curse,  a  dagger,  blood  and  woe ! 
Out  with  your  rot!  Stability  has  said — 
Straight  to  the  mountains  fly — or  to  the  dead!" 

This  emphasized  by  one  swift  blow  of  axe, 
Conveys  conviction  and  that  army  backs. 
Zuff's  mighty  muscles  tremble  as  he  sighs 
And  stalks  around,  new  conquests  in  his  eyes. 
An  ugly  wound  recloses  as  he  roars : 
"Evil,  get  out!"  and  wipes  his  dripping  pores. 
He  stoops — his  massive  hands  upon  his  knees — 
Approaching  o'er  the  plains  an  army  sees ; 
And  shakes   for  jo)^    His  sun-embellished  nose 
Rabbit-like  moves,   his   face  vermillion  glows; 
His  eyes  cat- fashion  pierce,  as  style  of  cat 
He  forward  springs,  fresh  forces  to  combat. 

His  foe  Hypocrisy,  with  smile  "divine," 
Advances  t'ward  him  clothed  in  raiment  fine; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  139 

Beneath  which,  well  concealed,  is  heavy  steel. 
Besmeared  with  blood  exchanged  for  righteous 

zeal. 
^Greeting,  sir  Zuff  (chief  Alzarica  speaks)  : 

I  have  not  seen  you  now  for  many  weeks. 
Too  bad  that  war  should  mar  a  day  so  fair," 
With  beauteous  nature  smiling  everywhere; 
With  god,  who  blesses  all  who  honor  him. 
Showering  love  even  on  this  struggle  grim. 
Too  bad.   Your  health,  sir,  chief,  enquire,  may  I? 
Ah!  o'er  your  head  the  years  roll  lightly  by. 
You  surely  are  advanced  in  godly  truth. 
To  keep  the  health  and  strength  of  rosy  youth." 
To  which  made  answer  quick    the    batterine 
Zuff:  ^ 

"\'illainous  hypocrite,  what  flimsy  stuff! 
How  dare  you  thus  address  yourself  to  me? 
Think  me  too  stupid  through  that  gauze  to  see? 
Butchers  white  linen  wear  while  cutting  meat, 
Perfume  will  make  a  filthy  creature  sweet; 
Honesty  stops  where  vanity  begins, 
Religion  hides  the  devil  and  his   sins." 

"Take  that!"    His  axe  salutes  the  churchman's 
head. . 
He  staggers  back;  his  features  bathed  in  red. 
Advance!"   sir   Zuff   commands;   "attend   your 
wits. 

For  treachery  backs  the  smile  of  hypocrites." 

As  double-quick  their  march-experienced  feet, 
The^  giants'  armor  clanks  with  measured  beat.  ' 
Their  foeman  charges  them  with  mounted  spear, 
And  gains  his  object,  ploughs  a  passage  clear; 
Turns  back ;  but  woe  awaits  that  rash  advance. 
The  hypocrites  to  strike  have  not  a  chance. 


140  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Their    steeds     becoming     frightened    rear    and 

bound, 
Hurling  them  dead  or  battered  to  the  ground. 
And  then  the   foot  attempt  to  reinforce, 
But  meet  the  fate  of  their  defeated  horse. 
Conquered,     their     bloody     armor    stripped    of 

clothes, 
Both  quit  the  battle  shrieking  loud  their  woes ; 
As  Zuff  makes  of  their  robes  a  funeral  pyre, 
Says,  ''health  to  hypocrites,"  and  sets  afire. 

Then  Clement  comes,  to  order  Zuff  before 
Illusion  Land,  to  strengthen  Love  in  war. 
Sovern,  the  prince  of  that  divine  command, 
For  hours  had  battled  Scowlard  hand  to  hand. 
And  though  Prince  Sovern's  proved  the  better 

sword, 
He  had  not  yet  reduced  that  monstrous  lord. 

Illusion  Land,  the  mighty  state  of  fear, 
Had  for  her  chief  a  giant  most  severe; 
Who  mankind  frightened  with  his  features  grim, 
Who  cursed  and  murdered  in  the  name  of  Him. 

Around  the  various  forces  long  at  arms. 
Battle  with  almost  equal  bays  and  harms ; 
The  difference  being  Love's  resource  divine, 
To  raise  the  fall'n  and  keep  her  ranks  in  line. 

Clement's  command  is  welcomed  with  delight; 
Zuff  roars,  ''Hurrah!"  and    stalks    toward    the 

fight. 
Proud  of  the  giant's  strength  and  dauntless  style, 
Chief  Clement  blends  with  tears  a  grateful  smile ; 
Then  rides  away  and  thinks:  "A  fighter,  Zuff; 
Honest,     but     fierce,     plain-spoken,    good    but 
rough." 

Stability  arrives  and  fear  defies. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  141 

Zuff  for  a  time  his  adversary  eyes ; 
And  then  commands  his  forces  take  a  hand. 
Straightway  ttey  batter  through  Ilkision  Land; 
Return  to  mi-^    to  terrify,  annoy, 
Disorganize,  disable  and  destroy. 

Seeing  this,   Scowlard    from    Prince    Sovern 
breaks, 
And  personal  charge  of  his  great  army  takes; 
Quiets  and  rallies  it,  and  then  Sir  Zuff 
Addresses  thus  in  threatening  words  and  rough: 

"Hound  of  the  blasphemers  I  the  blood  ye  shed 
Shall  bring  the  wrath  of  god  upon  thy  head. 
Thou  hast  assailed  his  chosen ;  woe  to  thee, 
I  give  a  curse  from  which  thou  canst  not  flee; 
In  god's  just  name  I  damn  thee  to  disease. 
Thy  land  to  locusts,  serpents,  lice  and  fleas; 
Thy  force-at-arms  to  torture  on  the  plains, 
Destruction  slow  from  drop  by  drop  of  veins. 
'Tis  orthodoxy,  mandate  from  above, 
Set  down  in  scripture  by  the  hand  of  love." 

Zuff   straightway   thunders   back:   "Devils  of 
hell. 
With  such  to  prompt,  just  reason  to  rebel! 
Innocent  thou;  thy  hands  are  free  from  gore; 
Tis  heterodoxy  brought  about  this  war. 
'Tis  it  hath  caused  the  bloodiest  wars  of  man. 
And  death  of  nations,  since  its  hook  began. 
Its  god  of  love  is  only  such  in  name, 
To  hide  his  horns,  to  right  his  murderous  flame; 
A  frosting  sweet  to  top  the  poisonous  cake ; 
Heterodox  love  at  best  is  but  a  fake  I" 

Here  Scowlard  interrupted :  "Fear  to  speak 
Of  god  unless  with  reverence  humbly  meek; 
To  profane  him  is  capital  offence, 


142  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Far  worse  than  murder  done  to  innocence." 
Zuff  waited  for  a  pause,  then  heeding  not 
Chief  Scowlard's    words,    took  up    his    severed 

thought : 
''Satan,  with  cloven  foot  and  serpent  locks, 
For  love  out-ranks  the  god  of  heterodox: 
The  god  of  fear,  of  hatred,  wrath  and  curse. 
In  that  old  bible  seen  in  every  verse : 
Who  frightens,  murders,  has  his  way  apart. 
Stones  a  weak  woman,  hardens  Pharoah's  heart; 
Turns   streams   to   blood,   poor   Egypt   turns   to 

fright. 
Forms  the  first  trust  to  gobble  all  in  sight ; 
Visits  the  country  with  a  plague  of  frogs, 
Murrains  all  horses,  camels,  asses,  dogs ; 
Sends  fleas  and  lice  to  man  and  beast  throughout 
Poor  Egypt  land,  to  get  the  Hebrews  out ; — 
Not  satisfied,  that  heart  makes  harder  still. 
Sends  locusts,  boils  and  hail  the  land  to  fill ; 
Clothes  it  in  darkness,  robs  the  race  of  breath, 
Orders  the  first-born  to  be  put  to  death. 
A  noble  god  is  that — a  great  I-AM — 
To  love  one  people  and  another  damn ! 
And  yet,  ye  churchmen,  each  and  all  alike. 
Deep  in  your  hearts  would  disbelievers  strike, 
Were  not  a  godlier  church  than  all  combined. 
Standing  above  to  keep  your  hate  confined; 
Were  not  your  law,  a  man-made  moral  scale, 
Preaching  one  sermon,  fear  or  go  to  jail. 
Who  then  is  viler,  satan  or  that  god. 
Tyrant  whom  churchmen  worship  and  applaud? 
Satan  is  wicked,  but  who  made  him  bad? 
That  same  old  partial  heterodoxy  cad!'' 
And  here  chief  Scowlard  interrupted,  but 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  143 

Sir  Zuff  continuing,  short  his  protest  cut: 

**In  heaven,  according  to  mosaic  plan, 

There  was  a  party  called  republican. 

God  was  the  boss  and  satan  next  in  line, 

Was  secretary  of  the  state  divine. 

Time  passed.     The   government   grew   large   in 

size, 
Ruled  everything  that  floated  in  the  skies. 
All  were  republicans  and  voted  "right," 
Ballots  were  plugged  well  on  election  night. 
'Twas  then  that  satan  thought  upon  a  scheme 
To  reform  his  country  and  the  Truth  redeem; 
xA.nd  opposition  was  that  statesman's  tactic, 
Therefore  he  launched  the  party  democratic. 
God  did  not  relish  satan's  strenuous  deed, 
Said,  "opposition  would  but  trouble  breed"; 
Got  jealous,  angry,  vicious,  morbid,  grim. 
Had  his  opponent  seized  and  brought  to  him; 
Condemned  the  victim  for  high-treason  and. 
With  curses,  hurled  him  to  the  wicked  land. 
And  so  poor  dev'l,  because  he  wished  reform, 
lias  to  this  day  resided  where  'tis  warm. 
Such  is  the  god  that  pious  ]Moses  knew; 
Enough  for  satire,  though  the  tale  be  true." 

The  prince  of  Love  continues:  "Silence,  Zuff! 
True,  but  kind  words  are  better  than  the  rough. 
The  universal  guiding-light  of  Love 
Has  ever  and  shall  always  reign  above; 
Above  the  carnal  rebels  of  the  mind ; 
The  natural  God,  impersonal  and  refined : 
In  beast  and  flower,  the  mountain  and  the  vale. 
Sublimely  great, — whose  precepts  can  not  fail ; 
The  Power  propelling  of  the  universe, 
With  love  for  all,  for  none  the  heartless  curse; 


144  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

That  rolls  forever  on  without  concern, 
Though  races  to  their  selfish  idols  turn; 
That  pities  them,  possessed  of  reason's  mind, 
For  yielding  to  this  weakness  of  mankind, 
When  simple  Nature  proves  the  only  God, 
And  that  the  system  deities  are  fraud, 
Rebukes  the  transcendental  theories  strange, 
Reflects  the  perfect  Being  without  change, 
Teaches  man  that  he  is  of  her  a  part. 
That  Love  unites  the  universe  at  heart. 
Like,  for  example,  when  the  Indian  sees 
That  he  can  make  him  blankets  and  tepees, 
But  not  the  valleys,  mountains  and  the  skies, 
All  which  were  made  for  him  to  love  and  prize, 
He  learns  that  a  Great  Spirit  dwells  above, 
And  that  this  Spirit  is  a  God  of  Love. 
But  comes  his  prophet  to  destroy  belief 
And  make  a  vengeful  god  of  endless  grief. 
So  with  the  Indian,  so  with  all  mankind, 
Their  selfish  prophets  come  and  drug  the  mind; 
Renounce  the  tranquil,  loving,  natural  God, 
And  teach  salvation  through  a  heartless  fraud. 
Brave  Jesus  knew  these  prophets,    knew    them 

well, 
Exposed  them,  fought  them,  proved  their  creeds 

of  hell. 
This  great  iconoclast  of  one  command 
("Love  One  Another,"  rang  through  every  land) 
Rebuked  the  rogues  religious  and  profane, 
Raised  up  the  dead  and  taught  of  Nature  plain. 
His  blest  example  is  for  all  mankind  ; — 
But  follow  Nature  and  be  rich  of  Mind." 

Just  then  full-speed  chief  Mideon  dashes  down 
The  fighting  line,  to  straight  all  converse  drown: 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  145 

"Speeches  enough !  sire  Scowlard,  to  your  sword ; 
!Much  must  depend  upon  Illusion's  lord. 
Clement  is  gaining — we  no  time  can  waste, 
Lest  carnal  of  defeat  forever  taste. 
And,  sire,  remember  what  your  son  has  told 
Many  a  time  in  battles  fought  of  old; 
Remember  war  is  always  partial  fight. 
Each  man  contending  knows  his  side  is  right. 
Let  not  belief  religious  dwarf  the  brain, 
Judgment  and  strength  alone  the  battle  gain. 
The  meanest  coward  is  who  won't  give  o'er. 
Who  damns  his  victor  of  an  honest  war; 
Who  prays  that  grief  may  overtake  his  foe ; — 
Nobler  when  whipped  to  smile  and   homeward 

so-"  . 

To  which  old  Zuff:   "Well  said,  most  noble, 

grand ! 
Reverses  are  the  salt  of  life — my  hand." 

Chief  Mideon  shakes,  salutes  and  leaves  him 
then, 
To  seek  assistance  for  Illusion's  men. 

Vice,  Envy,  Malice,  Jealousy  and  Hate, 
Soon  reinforce  them  with  their  armies  great. 
Then  Mideon  bids  them  all  to  mobilize. 
Illusion  Land  the  center  occupies ; 
Malice  the  right,  and  Hate  the  left,  commands; 
Th'  advanced  is  held  by  Envy's  numerous  bands, 
The  rear  by  Vice  and  Jealousy.     And  then 
They  wait  the  word  to  charge  the  Spirit  men. 

Clement  observes;  is  wrapped  in  thought;  at 
length 
Love  reinforces  with  the  state  of  Strength. 
Then  thus  for  battle  line  these  mighty  three: 
The  center.  Love ;  the  right,  Stability ; 


146  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And   Strength,  the  left.    Chief    Clement    takes 

command, 
But  Mideon  sees — and  heads  Illusion  Land. 

Amidst  his  ranks  each  general  rides  about, 
Strengthening  portions,  smoothing  legions  out, 
Learning  conditions  which  appear  before, 
Planning  with  caution  moves  of  coming  war. 
And  then  the  trumpets  battle's  challenge  sound, 
And  both  commands  are  wrapped  in  war  pro- 
found. 

The  fierce  Illusion  Land  with  damning  cries, 
Foaming  with  rage,  abreast  her  foeman  flies. 
The  mounted  spears  of  Envy's  state  are  first, 
Ten  thousand  strong  at  Heaven's  great  center 

burst ; 
Are  met  by  Strength's  gigantic  charge  of  horse. 
Which  plunges   through   them   with   destructive 

force ; 
Tie  circuit  makes;  emerging  from  the  strain 
With  spears  arrayed  with  entrails  of  the  slain, 
Bloody  and  streaming,  dangling  to  the  wynd ; 
And  heads,  eyes  open,  teeth  in  torture's  grind. 
Unbodied,  dripping,  hair  with  blood  besmeared ; 
And  hearts  torn  out,  in  life's  last  struggle  weird, 
Like  hooked  fish  battling  with  the  fatal  breath  ; — • 
To  Envy's  horse  an  almost  total  death. 

Chief  Mideon  then  commands  his  foot  engage. 
And  Clement  also  ;  straight  new  horrors  rage. 
Both  forces  deep  are  buried  in  the  fray. 
With  neither  bidding  fair  to  take  the  day; 
For  hours  to  fight  with  neither  in  the  lead. 
Chief  Clement  gains,  but  Mideon  ties  the  deed — 
A  constant  change — by  stratagems  of  care 
They  each  invite  the  other  to  the  snare — 


The  Rebellion  of  Hkll  147 

But  every  trap  is  gracefully  declined — 
Each  does  the  thing  opposed  to  that  designed. 
^  So  far  the  present  leave  them  here  we  must, 
General  to  general,  equal,  fair  and  just, 
And  turn  our  eyes  on  other  fights  in  store, 
For  this  great  battle  shall  conclude  the  war. 


148  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 


CANTO  THE  NINTH. 

"Nine  out  of  ten  the  faults  in  others  scan. 
But  fail  to  criticise  that  inner  man ; 
The  tenth,  by  wisdom  blest,  will  self  atone, 
Guard  his  estate  and  let  the  world  alone. 
Nine  out  of  ten  are  victims  of  unrest; 
If  they  have  millions  they  must  billions  test; 
If  nothing,  must  in  some  wise  mock  the  rich, 
Wear  silks  and  broadcloth  of  inferior  stitch. 
The  working-girl  must  strive  by  every  mean 
In  dress  to  match  her  sister  money-queen; 
The  banker's  clerk  must  feel  the  prison's  pain 
That  his  proud  wife  may  her  ambitions  gain. 
Nine  out  of  ten,  the  women  of  the  race, 
Put  all  their  god  upon  their  back  and  face. 
That  maddening  rush  to  see  who  looks  the  best, 
Makes  of  society  the  nation's  pest, 
Causes  the  man  to  steal,  the  woman  fall. 
Destroys  the  home  and  fills  the  sporting-hall. 
Nine  times  in  ten,  O  man,  art  thou  to  blame: 
Be  just,  be  master  and  thy  woman  tame; 
Rule  her  with  love  but  hold  the  sceptre  firm. 
Else  be  reduced  from  man  to  servile  worm; 
Say,  thou  shalt  not,  and  her  affections  save;— 
Woman  can  use  but  never  love  a  slave. 
Nine  out  of  ten  in  these  domains  at  hand, 
To  mammon  not  to  God  their  souls  command  j 
Many  religions  seem  to  do  but  harm; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  149 

Less   creed,   more   Love,   would   sink   his   death 

alarm. 
Each  ego  who  sees  evil  in  his  church 
Starts   something   else   and   takes   the   prophet's 

perch. 
How  nobler  far  when  error  comes  to  view, 
To  stay,  correct,  unto  thy  church  be  true — 
H  possible.     But  bigots  still  must  curse, 
Cause  men  to  sever  for  conditions  worse. 
Man  leflects  God,  yet  evil  picks  at  man, 
He  hence  is  subject  to  the  critic's  scan; 
Therefore,  O  bigots  of  a  thousand  creeds, 
Think    not    thy    worshipped    gardens    have    no 

weeds. 
Nine  out  of  ten  the  curses  of  mankind 
To  just  a  single  spring  their  courses  wind; 
Author  of  business,  church  and  social  harms, 
Vanity  lewd! — world-wrecker,  to  your  arms!" 
So  spake  the  prince  of  Virtue,  Dectarome, 
To  Weo.  godhead  of  the  modern  home. 
The  banners  of  proud  Vanity  as  bees. 
Pretty  but  poisonous,  float  upon  the  breeze, 
As  while  they  answer  to  the  call  of  might, 
To  meet  their  challengers  in  bitter  fight. 
The  battle  starts.    Well  skilled  in  practised  hate, 
\'anity  plunges  at  the  Virtuous  state — 

"Our  loathed  opponent  to  the  very  tooth," 
A  captain  thus,  ''pretending  though  the  Truth ; 
Rising  so  high  upon  her  self  esteem. 
That  all  beatitudes  her  birthright  seem. 
\'anity,  know  thy  powers,  while  without  bound, 
Sooner  or  later  crumble  to  the  ground ; 
Think  not  thou  art  invincible  to  death. 
For  whilst  thou  fatten  weaker  grows  thy  breath. 


150  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Make  thou  the  Savior's  words  to  suit  thy  greed, 
Interpret  them  to  fit  the  vilest  deed; 
Make  thou  poor  Jesus  but  thy  servient  tool, 
As  scribe  the  pen  or  architect  the  rule ; 
Make  thou  thy  god  a  free-love  monger,  and 
Blacken  more  families  ii:  thy  blackened  land, 
Degrade  its  women  and  corrupt  its  men ; 
Wake  thou  the  purse  more  mighty  than  the  pen. 
Then  look ! — this  battle  shall  the  story  tell ; — 
By  such  as  thou  the  Roman  Empire  fell!" 

The  modern  Goths,  the  virtue-growing  power, 
On  haughty  emptiness  their  weapons  shower. 
That  state  debauched,  the  looking-glass  of  vice. 
Her  sins  now  forfeit  at  an  awful  price. 
The  heavy  axe  of  Virtue  sweeps  the  plain, 
Digs  at  her  vitals,  spreads  her  shrieking  pain, 
Drives  each  its  grief -effecting  efforts  home; — 
As  Caesar  fell  so  falls  the  modern  Rome. 

Deceit  is  next.    Her  chief  to  Virtue  these: 
"Heaven  now  is  doomed  to  suffer  grave  disease! 
Weo's  defeat  shall  prove  the  last  of  thee; 
Carnal  is  straight  to  rise  in  victory; 
And  what  my  proof? — 'tis  yonder  o'er  the  plain, 
Where  fear  has  battled  Love  to  mortal  pain, 
Where  Mideon  has  defeated  Clement's  arms, 
And  spread  through  Heaven  the  death- foregone 

alarms. 
Without  their  chief  the  Spirits  can  not  war  ;— 
Victory  is  carnal's  and  the  fight  is  o'er." 

At  which  prince  Dectarome  the  field  surveyed. 
Looked  far  away  and  thence  dispatched  an  aide; 
Then  thus  replied:  *'Sir  Creephus,  wouldst  de- 
ceive ? — 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  151 

Wouldst  have  me  with  no  facts  such  things  be- 
lieve? 
Virtue  must  first  good  evidence  obtain 
Before  a  statement  can  her  sanction  gain; 
Or  good  or  false,  she  listens  with  concern, 
Is  likewise  slow  to  judge  as  quick  to  learn; 
Never  condemns  unless  the  proof  is  clear, 
And  judges  self  in  manner  most  severe,; 
Utter:  no  speech,  attempts  no  deed,  till  first 
All  faults  are  culled  and  every  truth  rehearsed ; 
Then  launches  forth  with  caution,  never  bold. 
But  sure  as  steel,  both  modest  and  controlled ; 
Rejects  no  man,  although  'tis  known  he  lies, 
Till  he  himself  by  fraud  her  trust  denies ; 
And  lifts  her  thoughts  before  correcting  sin;^ — 
If  thou  wouldst  judge  let  justice  sit  within." 

The  messenger  returns.     His  message  this : 
^'Virtue  from  Clement; — carnal  speaks  amiss." 

Enough — the  forces  clash — the  field  is  red — 
Deceit  straightway  embraces  with  the  dead — 
A  few  escape — the  chief  amongst  the  blest — 
As  Death  delivers  to  her  state  the  rest. 

Death,  Helomed's  command,  had  through  the 
war. 
From  first  till  now,  been  gathering  in  her  store; 
Each  troop  who  fell  received  her  service  straight ; 
As  sin  grew  smaller  larger  grew  her  state. 

Their  fingers  clinched  with  pressure  most  se- 
vere. 
Their  faces  bursting  red  from  ear  to  ear. 
Their  angry  nostrils  swelled  to  funnel  shape. 
While      from     whose     eyes      manslaughtering 

thoughts  escape, 
Zinehas  and  his  Boasters  next  we  view; 


152  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

In  deafening  roars  is  heard  what  they  will  do. 

Their  chieftain  thus:  "Surrender,  sir,  or  die! 
Obey  at  once  or  in  destruction  lie ; 
My  troops  are  patriotic  to  the  core, 
And  shall  triumphant  leave  this  mighty  war. 
Vanity  and  Deceit  you  have  disgraced, 
But  never  have  till  now  an  army  faced. 
Observe  it  well ;  'tis  faultless  as  to  drill, 
Has  warred  for  ages  and  is  victor  still. 
We  now  are  come — surrender — you  refuse? — 
Amen — for  us  you  could  not  better  choose — 
We  now  are  come  equipped  in  arms  complete. 
To  cause,  and  glory  in,  your  full  defeat. 
We  come  to  conquer ;  never  shall  we  turn ; 
Advancing,  we  behind  all  bridges  burn ; 
Have  but  one  order,  that  is,  sword  and  lance. 
Retract  no  step,  to  victory  straight  advance." 

At  this   they    forward   move.      The   Virtuous 
state. 
On  the  defense,  their  first  attacks  await; 
Forms  three  half-circles  of  her  various  kinds, 
The  first  the  javelin  his  position  finds, 
The  battleaxes  second  place  maintain, 
While  swords  and  engines  in  the  third  remain. 
Ready — the  Boasters  close  with  sword  and  pike — 
Orders  are  given — crash!  the  javelins  strike; 
The  Boasters'  van  is  to  destruction  gored. 
As  rushes  forth  the  battering  axe  and  sword. 
No  need  for  them.     The  foeman's  forces  turn, 
To  cross  the  bridges  which  they  late  would  burn. 

Virtue  pursues  them  to  the  mountains'  base. 
Thence  let  us  now  our  mental  footsteps  trace; 
For  while  below  the  central  portion  fights, 
Various  combatants  battle  in  the  heights. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  153 

The  war  commenced  with  all  on  level  lands, 
But  as  it  grew  some  scattered  their  commands; 
The  drift  of  battle,  stratagems,  retreats, 
Advances,  charges  and  all  similiar  feats, 
Soon  spread  the  forces  everywhere  around, 
Mountain  and  valley,  city,  plain  and  mound.        — . 

Impatience  struggling  for  the  victor's  bays. 
Eager  to  gain,  to  pacify  her  craze. 
To  be  ^he  first  in  every  single  move, 
Thinking  not  if  'twould  hurt  her  or  improve, 
Unwilling  to  remain  a  while  at  ease, 
Await  her  turn  and  thereby  others  please, 
(Like  jealous  schoolboys  pushing  each  about) 
At  Patience  hands  at  length  is  routed  out. 

Her  chieftain,  Buno,  thus :  "  'Twas  ever  so, 
The  great  and  vigorous  must  be  sunk  in  woe: 
Here  you.  Sir  Brend,  a  man  of  talents  small, 
Over  a  genius  to  the  summit  crawl. 
Here  I  must  stay  neglected  by  mankind. 
Forgotten  though  a  giant  of  the  mind." 

"Your  powers  I  doubt  not,"  answered  patient 
Brend, 
"But  haste  the  best  abilities  will  end. 
To  rise  in  fortune  one  must  labor  hard, 
For  quick  results  engender  no  regard. 
Transcendent  fame  caresses  but  the  strong, 
Who  trust  to  work,  with  caution  plod  along. 
Consider  not  themselves,  but  just  their  task, 
Seek  no  condolence  and  no  praises  ask." 

Procrastination  next  our  eyes  engage, 
An  army  large,  still  they  no  battle  rage ; 
But  have  fine  theories,  and  correct  ones  too, 
And  talk  of  much  they  shall  to-morrow  do. 

While  thus  engaged  in  thinking  awful  war, 


154  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Down  from  the  mountains  Concentration  bore, 
Avalanche  style,  direct  through  their  command, 
Spreading  them  broadcast  o'er  the  level  land. 
The  chariots  t'ward  nigh  every  point  around 
Rumble  away  with  fear-exciting  sound : 
The  foot  in  panic  steep  themselves  in  pain, 
The  horse  stampede  and,  manless,  quit  the  plain. 

Jathon,  their  chieftain,  thus:  "Sir  Formeo ! 
Dishonest  man,  wherefore  not  let  me  know? — 
Not  say  you  contemplated  this  advance. 
That  I  mine  to  defend  might  have  a  chance? 
This  very  charge  I  had  to-morrow  planned. 
With  that  in  view  had  late  my  forces  scanned, 
Had  laid  a  scheme  by  which  the  foe's  retreat 
(After  the  charge)  should  with  obstruction  meet ; 
Ditches  were  traced   (in  thought)   in  which  the 

foe 
Should  sink  oblivious  in  defeated  woe. 
All  this  and  more  in  triumph  filled  my  mind, 
Only,  alas !  to  vanish  as  the  wynd. 
All  hope,  all  fortune,  all  respect  is  dead. 
Even  those  micans  to  win  the  humblest  bread.'* 

Prince  Formeo  replied :  "Sir  chief,  to-day 
You  should  have  acted,  not  till  morn  delay. 
Your  plan  of  battle  would  have  won,  no  doubt, 
But  schemes  are  fatal  unless  carried  out. 
Put  off  and  lose,  care  not  the  powers  at  hand, 
Nothing  deferred  from  day  to  day  will  stand. 
O  wasted  time!  how  can  one  think  of  thee 
And  not  regret,  nor  one's  great  losses  see ; 
Nor  learn  from  them  to  love  the  present  hour. 
Nor  sit  it  out  in  dreams  of  future  power. 
Listen,  a  lesson,  each  day  is  alike ; 
Move  with  the  sun  and  with  the  moments  strike; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  155 

Else  fail  to  realize  life's  sweet  desire, 
Live  in  a  trance  and  in  a  dream  expire." 

These  finished  he  continues  with  the  charge, 
Attacks  with  fury  states  in  numbers  large. 
This  famous  cavalry  as  lightning  strikes, — 
Is  come — is  gone — with  death  upon  her  pikes; 
On  evil  concentrates  wherever  found, 
Throws  it  in  panic  and  is  out  of  sound — 
Quick  as  a  flash — the  sin-harassing  clan 
Of  God's  great  army  in  the  State  of  man; 
The  cavalry  that  roots  all  evil  out, 
Weakens  it  for  Love's  infantry  to  rout. 

Next   Negligence,   habitual   in   neglect, 
Charges — Procrastination  to  protect; 
But,  before  they  had  reached  that  battle-ground, 
Something  else  their  complete  attention  bound, 
Considering  which  they  halt  and  quite  forget 
Their  neighboring   friends  by  trouble  hard  be- 
set. 

''Before  we  help  Procrastination  out, 
Let  us  see  w^hat  this  business  is  about," 
So  speaks  chief  Actabod:  ''investigate 
We  must,  for  this  is  subject  having  weight; 
Bears  no  delay,  has  millions'  sovereign  itch, 
A  scheme  I  do  believe  to  make  us  rich !" 

Dev'l   help    the   scheme — for    falls   neglectful 
hell- 
Thundering  Concentration  strikes ! — farewell. 

Romandaline  of  Selfishness  appears, 
High  on  a  mountain,  wTapped  in  w^oeful  tears; 
Upon  the  summit  of  hell's  loftiest  peak. 
Standing  exposed  to  Winter's  w^eather  bleak. 
Up  from  the  plains  he  fought  with  matchless  art, 
Not  for  his  country  but  his  own  dear  heart, 


156  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Not  for  the  people's  gain  but  private  pelf, 
To  glorify  his  best  belov'd,  himself. 
But  ah !  the  summit  reached,  ambitions  grow. 
He  grieves  that  he  cannot  still  higher  go ; 
Giving  forth  venom  in  the  place  of  thanks, 
With  adjectives  profane  assails  his  ranks. 
Though  some  men  at  his  rash  ambitious  acts 
On  him  disgusted  would  have  turned  their  backs. 
His  made  him  mighty  in  the  minds  of  man, 
To  conquer,  every  dangerous  gauntlet  ran. 
Endured  in  peace  all  hardships  of  the  fight, 
Up  from  the  depths  to  take  the  loftiest  height. 

He  closed  in  madness  thus:  "I  must  advance, 
In  other  worlds  above  presume  a  chance. 
In  this  the  zenith  has  been  taken,  still 
Ambition  and  unrest  my  being  fill. 
This  mountain  peak  no  happiness  can  bring; 
Peace  must  be  mine,  hence  we  must  take  to  w  ing 
Nothing  below  amongst  the  human  race 
Can  give  it,  for  seclusion  is  its  place, — 
Out  of  the  common  walks  of  life,  and  bound 
Pligh  in  the  heavens  to  hold  its  court  profound. 
Earth  is  not  good  enough  for  me ;  the  sky 
I  must  ascend;  now  ready — upward — fly!" 

They  flew — but  down  the  mountain's  jagged 
side. 
Shrieking  the  woes  of  false-directed  pride, — 
Awful  to  hear;  this  poor  misguided  clan, 
Who  worshipped  at  the  feet  of  selfish  man. 
Blind  faith  in  blindness  maddened  by  success 
First  shoots  above  earth's  misery  and  distress 
Forgets  mankind  in  walks  of  selfish  caste, 
Utters  contempt  for  virtues  of  the  past ; 
And  then  the  fall — O  horrors  of  the  day — 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  157 

O  misery,  pain,  destruction,  and  decay! 

They  fell  to  where  Benevolence  is  ranked, 
Deep  in  a  vale,  and  here  their  bodies  banked; 
Pile  after  pile  on  one  another  rose, 
And   mixed   with   blood   their   death-resounding 
woes. 

The  prince  benevolent  upon  the  dead 
Looked  long  in  silence  then,  low  speaking,  said: 
"Poor  victims,  led  by  selfishness  to  rise, 
Beware  the  mountain  crested  in  the  skies, 
That  looks  most  beautiful  as  seen  below, 
For  death  sits  on  its  sun-kissed  peak  of  snow. 
Sweet  in  Benevolence  embrace  to  lie, 
Where  man  is  stronger  to  his  selfish  I ; 
Where  dwells  the  disposition  to  befriend 
God's  universal  Nature  without  end ; 
Where  ties  of  fortune  entertain  but  love, 
Where  thoughts  that  heal  not,  cheer  not,  do  not 

move ; 
Where  life's  desire  is  centered  in  mankind, 
To  make  them  noble,  happy  and  refined." 

While  these  in  accents  soft  were  issuing  out, 
The  Clan  of  Coquettes  clustered  round  about; 
Boncella's  state,  by  her  of  late  resigned 
To  Niomis,  a  sister  flirt  unkind. 
No  weapons  they,  no  martial  armor  bore. 
But  silken  draperies  loosely  tucked  before. 
They  were  on  picnic  to  the  lovely  vale, 
To  boast  their  conquests  and  new  victims  hail. 
Suitors  unnumbered  swarmed  on  every  side. 
Paid  them  respect  and  pufifed  their  darling  pride. 
Some  were  but  talking  loves  that  live  a  day, 
W^hile  some  appeared  as  though  designed  to  stay. 
Some  fools  there  were, — these  courted  silly  girls, 


158  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Proud  of  their  figures,  pretty  skin  and  curls; 
And  some  were  gentlemen  of  honest  mind, 
Who  singled  out  the  women  more  refined, 
Paid  manly  court  with  marriage  in  their  eyes, 
Placed  their  whole  trust  and  future  in  the  prize: 
Each  of  whom  loved  the  man  by  play  abused, 
And,  to  her  life's  lament,  when  asked,  refused. 
And  Niomis  in  neither  seemed  to  be. 
But  rather  all  deceits  epitome; 
She  skimmed  the  surface  of  the  coquette's  art, 
Tried  to  be  good  but  only  was  in  part. 

She  thus  to  Livachus  (when  he  was  through)  : 
"Thy  words,  O  prince  benevolent,  how  true ! 
Say,  man  should  someone  love  besides  himself, 
And  I  may  add :  and  liberate  his  pelf, — 
Not  let  it  useless  lie  within  the  vault ; 
This  truly  is  the  wished  man's  only  fault." 

To  which  the  prince:  "Thy  character  is  told;-^ 
The  vilest  coquette  is  the  hag  of  gold; 
She  who  knows  nothing  of  affections  soft. 
Phlegmatic  schemer  held  by  self  aloft; 
Who  feigns  to  love  when  money  is  in  sight. 
But  whose  cold  heart  would    put    a    snake    to 

flight. 
In  justice  to  Boncella:  she  was  first 
In  coquetry,  and  dabbled  with  the  worst, 
Went  to  the  zenith  of  unlicensed  love, 
Heart  after  heart  to  deep  dejection  drove. 
Ere  Mideon's  dagger  made  her  grief  pursue, 
Drink  her  own  poison  and  be  born  anew. 
In  justice  to  Boncella:  she  was  kind. 
In  this  much,  never  on  the  pure  designed, 
Never  encouraged  marriage,  nor  deceived 
For  purposes  beyond  the  hour  believed; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  159 

Like  all  her  sex  did  admiration  seek, 

Bvsi-  led  none  on  of  wedded  love  to  speak; 

This  that  she  might  with  haughtiness  decline, 

Flatter  herself  and  see  the  victim  pine. 

To  these  Boncella  was  a  stranger  blest, 

Honest  and  natural,  of  all  flirts  the  best. 

But  Xiomis,  successor  to  her  state. 

Is,  though  most  wicked,  virtuous  and  sedate; 

A  social  curse,  an  enemy  to  good. 

Blasphemer  of  the  name  of  womanhood." 

To  which  in  anger  answered  Xiomis: 
*Toul  lover  of  the  lewd  Boncella  kiss! 
Dar'st  thou  compare  that  tinseled  toy  to  me; 
Condemn  the  virtuous  and  applaud  the  free? 
Because  I  do  not  choose  to  marry  poor, 
Accuse  me,  strip  me  to  the  very  core ; 
Paint  a  bad  character  and  call  it  mine, 
This,  too,  when  not  the  slightest  cause  is  thine; 
Only,  I  treasure  more  my  mind  than  heart, 
Seek  future  joy,  from  passion  live  apart. 
Because  I  feign,  to  modestly  excite. 
Say,  my  cold  heart  would  put  a  snake  to  flight. 
Woman  can  love  a  man's  position  best, 
Still  love  him  not — with  passions  of  the  breast;  ! 
Such  love  impersonal  is,  a  higher  flame,  ' 

That  lies  through    man    to    glory,    wealth    and 

fame — "  j 

Just  then  an  arrow  aimed  at  Spirit's  chief       ' 
Went   wide   its   mark   and   brought   the   flirt  to 

grief; 
Passed  through  her  bosom,  left  a  mortal  wound, 
And  sent  her  shrieking  headlong  to  the  ground. 
The  shaft  delivered  was  from  Murder's  hands, 
As  he  forth-rushes  at  the  two  commands, 


i6o  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  coquettes  all  for  mercy  plead  in  fear, 

And  these,  their  last,  the  words  of  Murder  hear: 

"That  arrow  aimed  at  Livachus  missed  well, 
It  robbed  not  Heaven  but  snatched  a  curse  from 

hell!" 
So  spake  Bravoo:  'Tair  woman  of  deceit,     ' 
These  bloody  hands  you  formed  at  my  defeat; 
Once  was  you  lied,  your  vanity  to  please, 
Led  me  to  vice  and  murder's  black  disease. 
Certes,  not  all  my  clan  have  fallen  so, 
Yet  a  great  number  trace  to  such  their  woe. 
In  payment,  you  must  gasp  the  fatal  breath, 
Murder  for  murder,  yet — which  suffers  death! 
Thy  life,  O  flesh,  is  painful  to  resign. 
But  bloody  mind! — what  death  can  equal  thine! 
Yet — torment,  malice,  vengeance,  murder,  ho ! 
'Tis  ours  to  suffer  life's  undying  woe; 
But  come !  if  killing  is  our  last  delight. 
Let  us  partake  of  all  foul  flesh  in  sight. 
Those     women,     arrows,    charge! — some    die — 

hurrah ! 
Volley  again ! — the  shafts  their  vitals  claw — 
'Tis  good — once  more ! — that  ends  their  last  em- 
brace ; 
And  now  advance! — Benevolence  to  face." 

They  straight  obey ;  a  bloody  fight  is  cast ; 
Archers  exchange  their  shafts  in  volleys  fast, 
Advance  toward  each  other,  pace  by  pace, 
Around  and  over  rocks,  then  hold  in  place. 
Fortified  well  by  nature,  to  harass 
The  heavy- foot  as  these  in  battle  pass. 
The  javelin-swordsmen  double-quick  the  vale, 
Meet  in  an  open  and  their  foes  assail. 
The  javelins  pass  en  route  and  strike  their  man; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  i6i 

Most  of  them  through  the  destined  targets  ran. 
The  human  marks  pierced  through  the  body  fall, 
Or  in  their  pain  for  quick  assistance  call. 
Another  charge;  the  thirsty  javelins  drink 
The  blood  of  misery  and  to  terror  sink, 
Drunken  and  spent;  another  volley,  then 
With  swords  the  forces  battle  men  to  men. 
Benevolence  as  vigorous  warring  vice 
As  helping  man  and  making  sacrifice, 
Plunges  with  fury  at  the  murderous  state, 
And   through   them   shoots    her    sin-destructive 

freight. 
Murder  backs  slowly,  yielding  hard  the  ground, 
Inches  by  inches  as  her  swords  resound ; 
Despising  life  she  sells  her  own  most  dear, 
Nerve  to  the  last.   A  precipice  is  near — 
She  sees;  too  late;  then  roars  her  chief  Bravoo: 
*'We  now  escape ;  this  mortal  curse  is  through ; 
But  let  us  neither  foe  nor  friend  indebt, 
By  our  own  hands  the  sun  of  life  must  set. 
To  leave  his  gloom  the  sacrifice  is  frail ; 
Despised  orb,  farewell — destruction,  hail !" 

This  said,  all,  tired  of  life's  ignoble  breath, 
Reversed  and  plunged  the  precipice  to  death. 
Above  these  on  the  mountain,  fortified 
By  crags  around.  Oppression's  ranks  abide. 

Slow-tempered,  strong  in  prejudice  and  hate, 
Loaded  down  with  riches,  proud  of  his  estate, 
Quick  to  condemn,  in  judgment  most  severe, 
Devoid  of  pardon,  deaf  to  reason's  ear, 
Quiet  in  manner,  generous  in  a  way, 
Of  business  fond,  yet  fonder  still  of  play, 
Pleasant  in  converse  if  the  subject  please. 
Of  that  harsh  discipline  that  breeds  disease; 


i62  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Who  round  his  daughter  chains  of  torture  wove 

Because,  against  his  choice,  she  fell  in  love; 

Tyrant,  though  kind  if  all  transpires  to  suit, 

Knuckles  to  his  opinion  absolute, 

Is  chief  Forenzo  of  Oppression's  state. 

Who  now  confronts  his  master,  and  his  fate. 

Mercy  advances  on  this  land  oppressed, 
Up  a  steep  hill  her  strength  to  nobly  test ; 
Slow-moving  in  the  face  of  arrows  thick, 
Which  in  great  numbers  her  best  forces  pick. 
They  reeling  fall  and  tumble  down  the  hill, 
Yet  she  moves  upward  with  intrepid  will ; 
Picking  her  way,  exposed  on  every  side. 
With  nothing  to  befriend  but  righteous  pride. 
The  berme  is  reached ;  her  forces  dripping  wet, 
Partly  exhausted,  straight  the  fort  beset ; 
The  javelins  hurl  through  every  open  place. 
And  then  swords  drawn  advance  with  quickened 

pace, 
Over  obstructions  jump  upon  the  foe. 
To  strike,  in  mercy's  name,  the  fatal  blow. 

Victory  in  sight,  the  youthful  Rebin  turns 
To  chief  Forenzo,  who  with  hatred  burns. 
And  speaks :  "You  will  surrender  now,  I  trust, 
To  Mercy's  forces  which  have  proven  just. 
We  fought  you  nobly  honest  from  the  start, 
Up  hills  of  trouble,  spite  and  broken-heart; 
To  free  your  poor  depressed  dependents  came. 
And  here  we  stand ;  'tis  mercy  now  or  shame ! 
You  must  unbend  toward  your  shackled  race, 
Else  long-enduring  grief  and  penance  face; 
Unto  your  daughter  yield  a  daughter's  due; 
Let  him  she  loves  a  lover's  rights  pursue ; 
Not  shackle  her  in  torture  worse  than  chains, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  163 

That  stabs  the  heart  until  no  life  remains; 
Discipline  base,  inhuman,  charged  with  death; — 
But  you  shall  free  her  ere  the  fatal  breath. 
This  sanctions  no  delay,  at  once  you  must 
Soften  your  heart  and  be  the  father  just. 
Or — Love  in  Heaven  attend  me  witness  here-— 
I  her  release  and  sweep  your  kingdom  clear!" 

To  which  Forenzo  thus :  "A  base  design 
Upon  that  which  by  every  right  is  mine. 
No  business  have  you  coming  in  my  fold, 
Destroying  peace  with  tactics  meanly  bold; 
Slashing  my  folk  with  war-inciting  sword. 
Because  I  must  and  shall  remain  their  lord. 
But  discipline  shall  here  be  mine,  not  theirs; 
/  shall  direct  them  in  all  life's  affairs. 
'Tis  not  for  meddling  youth  to  here  presume 
His  wild  opinions  and  my  throne  assume. 
You  dare  to  counsel  me,  to  place  above 
My  seasoned  mind  your  sentiments  on  love, 
In  that  my  daughter  shall  my  laws  obey ; 
This  is  imperative  in  every  way." 

These  ended,  Rebin  sighs :  "  'Tis  useless  toil 
By  peaceful  means  to  cut  Oppression's  coil; 
This  unrelenting  man  must  suffer  long, 
At  Mercy's  hands  be  made  to  see  his  wrong. 
'Tis  heavenly  just  that  Love  unite  the  brave, 
And  you,  sweet  sister !  Mercy  came  to  save. 
The  good,  the  faithful  shall  their  hopes  acquire. 
In  triumph  rise  from  out  the  slaver's  fire. 
Now,  comrades  of  deliverance,  with  thee 
Love's  duty  rests ;  advance  to  free,  to  free !" 

Rebin  commanding  at  his  army's  head, 
Then  battles  with  the  ranks  to  manhood  dead ; 
Creatures  oppressed  defending  their  own  hell. 


i64  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  him  who  made  it  and  their  god  as  well. 
Stubborn   they   are,   but   Mercy's   strength   pre- 
vails ; 
She  strikes  the  climax  and  the  victory  hails. 
Around  the  ranks  oppressed  for  mercy  plead, 
Not  knowing  'twas  herself  their  souls  had  freed; 
So  long  in  slavery,  ignorant  of  the  Truth, 
E'en  when  received  direct  from  Mercy's  youth. 

Rebin  observes  and  speaks:  "Oppression  rise 
From  torment  dark  to  gaze  upon  the  skies, 
Forever  free  to  know  the  light  of  day, 
The  worth  of  manhood,  labor,  rest  and  play. 
Free,  dost  thou  hear  ? — Why  bow  to  Mercy  then  ? 
Stand  up,  coequal  with  the  best  of  men." 

This  said  he  rushes  to  the  guarded  tomb, 
Slaughters  the  watch  and  breaks  in  every  room, 
Relieves  the  victims  of  their  shackled  ware. 
Then  scours  the  castle  for  the  captive  fair. 
Oflf  in  a  tower  he  hears  the  startled  call ; 
*'Will  mercy  never  pierce  this  weeping  wall ! 
Long  nights,  long  days,  long  suffering,  woe  to 

me; 
Will  love  to  death  deliver  up  the  free; 
Will  father's  law,  although  he  think  it  best. 
Never  be  changed,  to  heal  my  tortured  breast; 
Must  love  endure  all  pain,  no  joy  receive, 
Hope  until  famished  and  forever  grieve !" 

Crash — falls  the  door  and  Mercy  rushes  in, 
Snatches  the  rod   from  murderous  discipline, 
Up-lifts  the  girl  of  long-prostrated  gloom 
(She    faints    for    joy),    and    hastens    from    the 
room. 

Down  on  the  ground  Forenzo  lost  in  woe, 
Sees  power  and  daughter  from  his  clutches  go; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  165 

Sees  his  authority  of  rigor  fall, 
Sees  his  own  people  pass  without  the  wall ; 
Smiles,  curses,  raves ;  a  madman  to  his  bier 
Tortured  with  grief  and  lashed  by  ceaseless  fear. 
Down  the  steep  hill  the  ranks  victorious  pass, 
But  meet  en  route  the  groveling  Timorous  class. 
These  forces  from  the  canyon's  base,  in  time 
To  help  Oppression,  tried  their  best  to  climb ; 
But  faltered,  fearful  at  each  troubled  sound, 
Each  cutting  shaft,  and  steepness  of  the  ground; 
Were  much  ambitious  for  the  victor's  bays, 
But  above  fear  could  not  their  courage  raise ; 
Made  an  attempt,  saw  ruin  should  they  wait, 
But  could  not  suffer  hardship  and— too  late. 

Rebin  confronts  them  and  in  Mercy's  name 
Counsels  them  cease  the  yearning  after  fame. 
''Brave    hearts,"    he    said,    "alone    their    hopes 

achieve. 
Must  in  the  fight  ten  thousand  knocks  receive ; 
Timidity  can  never  reach  the  top, 
Try  something  light  and  let  ambition  drop. 
That  thirst-unquenching  goddess  drags  the  brave 
Unto  the  brink  despondent,  ere  she  save; 
No  mercy  has  she,  not  a  cheery  smile. 
E'en  to  the  last  'tis  torture  all  the  while. 
Therefore.  O  Timid,  lay  aside  the  lance, 
Tis   not   for  thee  when   strength   has   scarce  a 

chance; 
Give  up  the  ghost,  'tis  better  so  than  spend 
More  precious  time,  and  life  with  nothing  end. 
Plain  words  but  true.     O  happy  man  is  he, 
Who,  having  little,  can  contented  be; 
Or  bold  or  timid,  elegant  or  rough. 
He  has  his  God,  and  Goodness  is  enough. 


i66  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Pursue  the  gentle  course,  O  fainting  heart; 
It  thee  becomes  and  has  in  Hfe  a  part." 

To  which  their  chief  Montez:  "Sweet  Mercy, 
thanks ; 
But  what  of  these,  my  Heaven-deserving  ranks? 
These  which  to  gather,  for  the  victory  gain, 
Have  cost  a  Hfetime  on  ambition's  plain. 
Think  of  the  labor  I  have  undergone. 
For  years,  to  midnight  from  day's  peeping  dawn ; 
The  preparation,  study,  grief,  disease, 
With  no  result;  O  Mercy,  think  of  these! 
I  see  the  fault,  timidity  is  mine, 
But  with  the  Lord  are  not  all  things  divine? 
All  possible  to  him  who  wishes  well. 
And  likewise  lives,  though  forced  to  stop  in  hell? 
'Tis  strange  so  many  reach  the  goal  success, 
Whereas,  I  fail  to  rise  above  distress. 
Surrender  now  is  madness ;  fear,  be  still ; 
All  things  are  possible  to  him  who  will." 

''Right,"  replied  Rebin,  "but — remember  fear; 
With  her  removed  you  shall  the  summit  clear. 
That  subtle  demon  O!  the   fainting  breast, 
The  palsied  arm — of  most  defeats  the  pest ; 
The  sleepless  night,  the  hopeless  day,  the  cursC; 
Chief  est  in  all  mind's  spaceless  universe. 
Remember  fear  by  casting  her  aside, 
Else  she  will  reign,  and  not  in  memory  hide." 

He  here  them  bid   farewell  and  straight  was 
gone, 
As  they,  encouraged  for  the  time,  push  on; 
Up  the  steep  hill  to  travel,  till  at  length 
Is  reached  the  castle  of  departed  strength. 
They  then  hurrah  their  victory  over  fear, 
Grow  careless  in  applause  and  drop  the  spear. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  167 

Disaster  brews.   The  mad  Forenzo's  shriek 
Frightens  them  till  deprived  the  power  to  speak. 
''Tyrant,  O  mercy,  daughter,  vengeance,  woe! 
Now  charge! — now  hurl  them  to  the  rocks  be- 
low— 
O  god  ! — away,  bold  demon — murder,  fly — 
Know  him  you  torment;  'tis  a  saint,  'tis  I! 
Innocent,  harmless,  generous,  just,  refined, 
Good  to  my  subjects,  to  my  daughter  kind. 
Her  love  was  better  in  my  keeping — there! 
The  spectre  comes  again — my  god,  that  stare! 
What  can  endure  it,  O ! — it  coils  its  tape — 
It  me  will  bind  in  death — I  must  escape!" 
This  shrieked,  he  mounts  the  rampart,  downward 

flies. 
Dashes  his  brains  against  the  wall,  and  dies. 

Death  raises  him,  a  spectre  void  of  flesh, 
But  with  old  torments,  multiplied  and  fresh; 
Worse  than  the  former  but  of  similar  kind, — 
Madness  reduced  to  fire-avenging  mind. 
His   shattered   skull    like    some    fierce    furnace 

glows, 
Forth   sickening    heat    and    loathsome   stenches 

throws ; 
As  he,  the  shade  of  great  Oppression's  chief. 
Begs,  but  beyond  all  succor,  for  relief. 

"Oppression,"    spake    Death's    monarch,    Hel- 
omed, 
''This  curse  in  life  you  brought  upon  your  head. 
Think  of  the  slaves  you  lashed  without  a  sigh. 
Think  of  the  daughter  left  unloved  to  die, 
Think  of  the  discipline  that  crushed  your  state, 


i68  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  think  o'er  all,  your  thought  of  murderous 

hate  ; 
Thought  that    more    damage    did    than    actual 

deeds. 
Thought   does   the   killing,    though   the    dagger 

bleeds ; 
Thought  escapes  law, — the  coward  will  each  day. 
Because  it  does,  a  hundred  virtues  slay. 
But  pandemonium  justice  judges  mind, 
Not  fleshy  deeds,  which  are  the  lesser  kind. 
Forgiving  never,  seldom  in  the  right, 
Think  of  it,  man,  and  with  your  devil  fight. 
Death  can  not  help  you,  sin  is  judge  of  sin, 
And  most  severe,  that  tyrant  sits  within; 
Is  harshly  just;  she  never  grants  reprieve. 
With  heart  of  stone,  untouched  and  undeceived. 
Prayer  will  not  move  her  to  reduce  a  charge; 
Tooth  for  a  tooth,  in  measures  small  or  large, 
Murder  for  murder,  theft  for  theft,  in  full, 
Like  for  the  like  her  one  unshaken  rule. 
Man  may  a  time  all  evil  entertain, 
Defraud,  corrupt,  oppress  for  selfish  gain. 
Despise  his  brother  poor,  enchain  his  clan. 
Snarl  at  advice  and  snub  the  loving  man; 
But  sin  remembers,  and  the  blow  is  worse. 
For  the  long  wait,  that  greater  makes  the  curse. 
Him  ancient  in  his  vice  sin  loves  the  best. 
For  age  should  be  content  from  such  to  rest. 
Gray  hairs  from  her  no  sympathy  can  call, 
Their  punishment  is  most  severe  of  all." 
The  shade  oppressed  jumps  up  and  down  in 
pain, 
Shrieks,  moans,  and  prays,  a  second's  peace  to 
gain ; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  169 

But  nay;  the  savage  flames  still  fiercer  grow, 
Spread  to  the  body  and  increase  in  woe. 
He  dives  a  lake  and  straight  the  waters  boil, 
Shoot  balls  of  steam,  then  turn  to  flaming^  oil. 
Frenzied,  he  tries  to  swim  the  fire  to  shore. 
But  the  red  waves  him  to  the  center  \x)Te, 
Up-tossed  him  high  beyond  the  mountain's  top, 
Increased  his  pain,  then  let  him  headlong  drop, 
Into  the  lake  and  to  the  bottom  shoot. 
There  to  remain  in  torture  absolute ! 

Timidity  this  awful   scene  observes, 
Goes  in  convulsions  till  she  wrecks  her  nerves, 
Runs  staggering  from  the  castle  down  the  hill, 
Forever  lost  to  courage,  strength  and  will. 

Anger  advancing  up  the  gorge  espied 
That  state  retreating  down  the  mountain-side; 
Enquires  and  learns  the  cause,  explodes  with  ire, 
Looks  round  for  someone  to  receive  his  fire ; 
Singles  out  Peace,  entrenched  to  guard  the  vale. 
Commands  his   forces  hers  in  haste  assail. 
'Tis  done.    The  javelins  fly  at  awful  speed. 
Striking,  resound  and  from  the  stones  recede ; 
Harass  or  kill  the  troops  who  gave  them  force, 
And  bring  from  all  vile  curses  of  remorse. 

Their  chief  Bulander  thus :  "Tyrannic  Peace ! 
But  show  your  form  and  straight  its  life  shall 

cease. 
Anger  is  come  with  wrath  that  burns  the  breath, 
And  arms  of  poison  charged  with  instant  death. 
Why     hide     behind     that     Heaven-constructed 

mound  ? — 
Come  out,   appear,    weak   cowards,    stand   your 

ground/' 


170  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

They  rise  en  masse,  their  breasts  above  the 
banks, 
One  volley  fire  at  Anger's  furious  ranks; 
Then  sink  from  view  again,  and  quiet  reigns, — 
That  is,  within,  but  Anger  shrieks  her  pains. 
The  shafts  of  Peace,  that  one  collective  charge, 
Accomplished  more  than  many  a  battle  large. 
It  was  complete.    The  state  offensive  yields. 
Strikes  o'er  the  mountain  to  the  desert  fields. 

But  ere  they   thus.   Prince   Romba  them   ad- 
dressed : 
"Peace  is  no  coward  though  she  none  molest 
Peace  prefers  quiet  to  the  greatest  crown, 
The  vanities  of  life  or  fame's  renown; 
All  which  are  subject  to  the  wrath  of  hell. 
But  forced  to  fight  no  power  can  hers  excel. 
Her  aim  is  true,  her  arm  of  faultless  might; 
Peace  is  no  coward,  though  she  hates  to  fight." 

This  said,  he  vanished.     Doubt  upon  the  hill. 
Above  the  Peaceful,  moves  with  wavering  will; 
Up  the  great  mountain  opposite  to  that 
On  which  the  castle  of  Oppression  sat. 
But  now  completely  grounded  by  the  fire 
From  the  fierce  lake  of  sin-avenging  ire. 

Their  scouts  inform  tliem  of  an  army  massed 
High  in  the  clouds,  and  thence  they  travel  fast; 
Observe  the  foe.     'Tis  Inspiration,  fired 
Unto  the  core,  and  by  his  God  inspired. 
To  defend  Heaven  and  carnal's  fall  design, 
On  the  papyrus  flow  his  thouglits  divine; 
The  grand  director  of  the  State  refined. 
Remote  in  silence  sits  the  master  mind : 
Whose  mighty  pen  casts  influence  over  all, 
Prompts  Truth  to  rise  and  evil  things  to  fall; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  171 

From  earth  removed,  yet  seeing  at  a  glance 
Centuries  gone  and  ages  in  advance; 
Greater  than  majesty,  than  power  or  gold; 
Clement's  chief  counsel,  young  in  years  but  old. 
Genius,  the  prince  of  Inspiration's  state, 
Bends  o'er  his  task,  to  conquer  and  create. 

Unarmed,  arrayed  in  virgin  white,  he  bends 
Over  his  work,  on  which  all  Heaven  depends. 
His  thoughts  transmit  as  lightning  to  the  ranks, 
General  and  man,  direct  their  vast  phalanx ; 
Fill     them     with     judgment,     confidence     and 

strength. 
To  do  their  best  and  struggle  on  at  length. 
His  face  is  madness  as  the  visions  roll, 
And  worlds  of  Wisdom  battle  through  his  soul! 

He  sees  all  things ;  he  feels  with  passions  deep ; 
Thunders  in  war  and  sings  when  lovers  sleep; 
Weeps  when  the  noble  heart  is  sunk  in  pain, 
Shouts  with  the  victor,  suffers  with  the  slain; 
Strikes  with  the  lightning,    rends    the    heavens 

above, 
Blooms  with  the  rose  and  gives    his    heart    to 

love ; — 
But  is  not  shaken.    Nothing  can  delay 
The  march  triumphant  on  his  chosen  way. 
He  stands  supreme,  the  maker  not  the  made; 
Mankind  but  children  at  a  glance  surveyed. 

Doubt  him  observes   hard    laboring    for    his 
cause, 
While  close  around  his  faithful  army  draws. 
It  is  but  small,  yet  loyal  to  the  core, — 
His  friends  in  peace,  his  strong  defense  in  war. 

Throughout  the  camp  a  perfect  silence  reigns. 
Nothing  is  heard  but  echoes  from  the  plains, 


172  The  Rebellion'  of  Hell 

Or  hills  around,  where  battle's  din  is  high, 
And  fretful  thunder  rumbling  through  the  sky. 

Doubt's  chief  Pauldemus  speaks:  ''What  have 
we  here? 
'Tis  a  strange  army  and  a  stranger  peer. 
They  stand,  he  sits,  his  fixed  impassioned   face 
By  thought  consumed — a  statue  spiked  in  place. 
A  handsome  picture,  but  I  stand  in  doubt. 
Come,  let  us  see  what  it  is  all  about." 

With  caution  they  in  silence  then  advance. 
Till  held  in  check  by  Inspiration's  lance ; 
Which  raised  at  guard  when  they  appeared  to 

view. 
Whose  sight  alone  them  deadened  through  and 

through. 
They  stand  with  javelins  ready  to  be  thrown, 
Bows    bent    and    swords    ungirded — turned    to 
stone. 

Ten   paces   these    from    Inspiration   stand. 
O'er  the  papyrus  glides  the  gifted  hand. 
The  sun  bursts  through  the  clouds  its  various 

light, 
Centers  the  figures  in  a  wondrous  sight: 
Topping  the  mountain,  miles  above  its  base, 
Far  in  the  distance  seen  unmeasured  space ; 
As  a  great  rainbow  spans  the  heavens  on  high, 
In  glory  breaks !  to  cheer  the  troubled  sky. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  173 


CANTO  THE  TENTH. 

Down  from  the  clouds  to  war's  essential  din, 
Again  we  mingle  with  the  realms  of  sin. 
Who  has  not  soared  amidst  ambition's  flight, 
Above  the  world  to  mind's  extremest  height; 
Who  has  not  stood  upon  the  heaven-kissed  cloud, 
In  wondrous  dreams,  of  his  position  proud, 
Looked  down  on  earth  with  condescending  eye, 
Pitied  mankind  and  heaved  the   selfish  sigh; 
Who  has  not  prophet  been  to  those  below, 
Yielding  advice  for  vain  pretentious  show ; — 
These,  while  in  sight  of  Inspiration's  throne. 
Who  has  not  doubted  and  been  turned  to  stone. 
Who  has  not  fallen  through  the  vapory  span. 
To  terra  hard,  a  crushed  but  wiser  man, 
While  grim  realities  the  bubbles  burst. 
If  such  there  be  then  nature  is  reversed. 

Who  has  not  dwelt  within  the  City  Lust, 
Master  or  slave,  a  groveling  thing  of  dust; 
Lured  from  the  path  of  virtue's  scenic  vale, 
Man's  glittering  handiwork  of  vice  to  hale. 
But  was  it  ugly?   didst  thou  turn  and  weep? 
Oh  no !  its  brilliance  rocked  thy  soul  to  sleep. 
Yonder  it  stands,  the  metropole  of  hell; 
To  carnal   eyes  the  boasted  place  to   dwell. 
Down  by  the  sea,  far  off  from  Spirit  Mind, 
Out-laid  in  beauty,  perfectly  designed. 
With  towering  mansions,  built  of  golden  pride, 


174  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  hovels  base  where  misery's  lot  abide. 
Where  haughty  churches  rear  their  slabs  of  gold. 
For  heavenly  worship  but  to  satan  sold ; 
And  public  buildings,  monuments  sublime, 
Whose  every  stone  bewails  a  heartless  crime. 
Where  self-philanthropy    has  millions  given, 
To  pave  his  way  o'er  bloody  strikes  to  heaven. 
Where  gold-success  is  preached  as  sacred  scroll, 
But  ne'er  a  word  of  sacrifice  and  soul. 
Where  things  material  hold  the  sceptre  firm, 
Where  Art  must  crawl  and  rot,  a  common  worm. 
Where  wealth  artistic  buys  a  costly  frame, 
But  not  the  picture,  for  his  hall  of  fame. 
Where  pimp  adultery  with  billions  clear, 
Immoral  through  and  through,  is  made  a  peer. 
Where  fornication  batters  down  the  door 
Of  many  a  house  with  children,  rich  and  poor. 
Where  church  polygamy,  in  Jesus'  name. 
Follows  those  old-book  mongers  of  ill-fame. 
Where  avarice  lifts  her  gilded  wings  on  high, 
Shrieks,  **love  thyself,  thy  neighbor  crucify! 
Wallow  in  vice,  release  the  passions  wild. 
Starve  the  poor  parent,  lewd  the  maiden  child. 
Corrupt  the  youth,  turn  commerce  into  trust, 
Justice  enchain  and  virtue  stamp  to  dust !" 

Where  Lord  Tyburgas  rules  with  harsh  com- 
mands ; 
He,  though  the  prefect,  tool  for  many  hands. 
O'er  all  the  planet  twenty  chiefs  and  more 
Use  him  at  pleasure  to  dilate  their  store. 
These  chiefs  have  castles  in  the  metropole ; 
The  pride  of  Lust,  the  bones  of  many  a  soul, 
Dripping  with  blood  from  cellar  to  the  domel 
Success  is  here  but  conscience  never  home. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  175 

O  Muse,  enough !    The  battle's  crash  resounds, 
Down   from  the    west,    and    scales    the    city's 

bounds. 
The  pride  of  hell  is  swept  with  instant  fright. 
All  rush  to  witness  or  partake  the  fight ; 
Windows  burst  open,  tops  of  houses  fill, 
Streets  become  packed  and  crowds  each  other 

kill. 
The  walls  municipal  with  troops  are  black, 
Ready  and  eager  for  the  first  attack. 
Outside  surrounding,  suburb  to  the  sea, 
Mile  upon  mile  is  stretched  strong  infantry. 
The  harbor  swarms  with  war-awaiting  ships, — 
Each  with  impatience  for  the  battle  dips, 
Rocks  forward,  backward  and  from  side  to  side. 
On  the  rough  waters  of  fast-rising  tide. 
Heaven  is  advancing,  beating  back  her  foe, 
With  dreadful  slaughter,  from  the  plains  of  woe; 
Slow-moving  down  a  slope  of.  trampled  green, 
Miles  from  the  rampart  yet,  but  heard  and  seen. 
"Defend  the  city!"  comes  the  lustful  cry, 
"Victory  or  death ! — 'tis  conquer  Heaven  or  die !" 

Twenty-two   forces  in  this  battle  dwell. 
One-half  from  Heaven  and  one-half  from  hell. 
Arrogance,  ranks  the  principal  command 
Of  carnal's  armies,  backing  to  the  strand; 
Slow,  very  slow,  that  bloody,  dogg'd  retreat, 
Demanding  at  each  step  a  payment  sweet. 
And  Moral-Courage  heads  the  Spirit  ranks, 
Eleven  armies  wedged  in  one  phalanx; 
A  sight  sublime:    the  shields,  in  solid  tiers. 
Legion  in  number,  closely  linked  by  spears, 
As  battling  swordsmen  hold    them    from    be- 
hind : — 


176  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

A  mountain's  strength  for  one  effect  combined. 

When  hell's  eleven  reached  the  lustward  slope, 
The   haughty  chief  gained   fresh   and   vigorous 

hope. 
He  looked  around,  beheld  the  city  grand, 
Flanked  with  her  ships  by   sea,   her  troops  by 

land ; 
The  v^aiting  phalanx  strung  outside  the  wall, 
Ready  to  fight  at  their  commander's  call ; 
The  rampart  made  of  stone,  with  iron  bound. 
And     topped     with     engines     thickly     grouped 

around ; — 
He  sees  and  pointing  calls  to  Moral's  chief: 
''Behold,    Prince   Lytheus,    there    thy    destined 

grief!" 
Then  turns  around  and  whispers  to  his  ten 
(Enmassed  for  counsel)  :  "Break   from  Spirit's 

men! 
And  run  the  slope,  without  a  moment's  waste, 
To  where  yon  cleft  of  murderous  crags  is  traced  ; 
Then  break  in  twain  and  flank  the   foe's  com- 
mand, 
And  force  him  headlong  from  the  sloping  land, 
Down  to  the  bottom — fill  it  to  the  brim, 
In  payment  of  the  thousands  slain  by  him." 

They  run  in  haste  to  where  their  various  ranks 
Are  hard  beset  resisting  Heaven's  phalanx ; 
Order  them  break.  'Tis  done  midst  loud  applause. 
Straight  they  retreat,  but  at  the  rupture  pause. 
The  captains  there  pursue    their    chief's    com- 
mand : 
Divide  the  troops  to  flank,  and  sweep  the  land. 
Rapidly  moves  the  phalanx  from  the  knoll; 
A  million    men  in  one  collective  whole, 


The  Rebelliox  of  Hell  177 

A  million   forces   for  one  purpose  steeled, 
Jammed  close  together,  moulded  shield  to  shield, 
Running  full  speed  adown  the  sloping  green — 
What  power  can   stop   them   when   the   cleft  is 


seen 


Lytheus  thought,  while  spake  the  carnal  chief, 
'Twas  meant  the  town's  defense  would  bring  him 

grief; 
Hence  smiled  and  charged   full-force  upon  the 

foe ; — 
But  carnal  knew  the  ground  was  split  below. 
Lytheus'  plan  was,  drive  them  to  the  wall, 
With  Lust's  phalanx,  and  prompt  the  city's  fall ; 
Hence  plunged   full-speed  to   gain   the   greatest 

force, 
Knowing  with  such  odds  'twas  his  only  course. 
But  he  was  fooled;  the  haughty  chief  divined 
That  very  charge  and  hence  the  trick  designed ; 
Pointed  to  Lust,  then  spake  his  crafty  snare, 
And  fled  as  though  to  join  the  forces  there. 

Close  on  the  heels  of  hell's  harassed  eleven 
Plunges  the  phalanx  in  defense  of  Heaven; 
Till,  at  the  cleft  the  former  turns  aside. 
The  latter — crash !  and  clogs  the  deep  divide. 
As  a  swift  current  o'er  its  rocky  walls 
Loud-roaring  hence  to  depths  unmeasured  falls. 
The  charging  phalanx  dashes  down  the  deep. 
While   pain   and   death   the   treacherous   rupture 

steep. 
Shrieks  of  the  tortured   from  the  cleft  arise, 
\'ibrate  the  ground  and  echo  through  the  skies. 
The   walled-in   misery   struggling  but   in   vain, 
For  breath  and  respite  from  the  dreadful  pain, 
Appear  as  maggots  wiggling  through  the  dead; 


OF  tme 


178  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  the  cleft's  river  flows  a  constant  red. 

But  one  command  remains  in  arms  and  free, 
That  which  in  time  can  always  danger  see. 
Prudence  is  whole.     Upon  the  bloody  banks, 
By  superhuman  power  he  stops  his  ranks; 
Orders  them  hold  in  check,  as  best  they  can, 
The  carnal  troops,  and  help  their  brother  man; 
Summons  all  courage  to  his  aid,  and  flies 
Through  hell's  command  as  her  applauses  rise; 
The  summit  gains,  ascends  an  errant  car, 
Calls  to  the  coursers  and  is  whirled  afar. 

The  chariot  rumbles  o'er  the  bloody  green, 
Pasture    and    grain,    a    crushed,    disheartening 

scene ; 
Strewn  with    the  dead  of    that    long-struggling 

fight- 
But  sweeter  scented  than  when  all  was  bright; 
Before  destructive  man  his  wrath  undid. 
Trampled  the  grain,  in  blood  the  meadows  hid. 
The  daisy,  rising  from  its  bed  of  death, 
Smiles  through  its  tears  and  yields  its  loveliest 

breath ; 
The  rose,  though  mangled  is  its  petaled  sheen, 
Breathes  forth  still  sweeter  essence  on  the  scene ; 
The  violet  for  grief  more  fragrant  smells. 
Though   bowed   and   crushed   above   its   sorrow 
dwells. 

Belaford,  as  the  chariot  dashes  on, 
Observes  the  dead,  the  bloody  fields  and  lawn; 
And  scents  the  perfumes,  that  arising  roll 
For  miles  around  their  sweet^^ess  on  his  soul. 
They  him  inspire,  .0  cheer  his  maddening  ride, 
For  Life's  command  upon  the  desert  wide, 
To  raise  the  fall'n  beneath  the  lustern  skies; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  179 

Onward  he  rnmblcs  as  these  strains  arise: 

'*Let  battles  rage,  let  misery  sweep  the  field, 
Water  and  peace  transform  to  blood  and  shield; 
Snatch  the  brave  hero  from  his  dearest  friend, 
Life's  fondest  hopes  in  one  sad  moment  end; 
Claw  out  the  heart  by  pieces  wild  with  pain ; 
Let  blackest  crime  repentant  manhood  stain; 
Let  the  weak  woman  to  her  soul  awake, 
See  haughty  pride  despise  her  like  a  snake; 
Hurl  into  prison  innocence  for  crime, 
Make  worth  neglected,  palsied  ere  his  time; 
Let  come  what  will,  if  man  to  Love  be  true 
Mountains  may  crush !  but  nothing  can  subdue. 
The  modest  violet  even  at  its  doom 
Gives    through    its    grief    the    treasures    of    its 

bloom ; 
Knows  not  one  sin,  is  innocent  of  wrong. 
And  thinks  that  sorrow  means,  a  sweeter  song; 
So  wafts  its  rarest  perfume  far  above, 
Breathes  out  its  soul  in  one  long  note  of  love." 

He  takes  the  lesson  as  a  sign  from  Heaven: 
Though  bowed  and  crushed,  shall  rise  the  Brave 

Eleven, 
Over  all  trials  to  reap  a  victory  grand. 
Faster  the  coursers  fly  for  Life's  command; 
Faster  and  faster  o'er  the  fertile  plain ; 
Rising  in  strength  with  every  moment's  gain; — 
Once  spotless  white,  this  fiery  team  of  four. 
Covered  with   foam    and    dust    bedashed    with 

gore ; 
Heads  high  or  straight,  ears  forward  or  behind, 
Mouths  open,  manes  and  tails  upon  the  wynd; 
With  nostrils  stretched,  with  eyes  of  wild  delight. 
The  chariot  groaning  rocks  from  left  to  right. 


l8o  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The   charioteer    forth-leaning   gives   the  hne 

Its  utmost  hcense  to  the  team's  design. 

Their    single    thought,    maintain    the    greatest 

speed ; 
He  cracks  the  lash  but  touches  not  the  steed. 
Arms  bare  and  massive,  wrists  inclasped  by  gold, 
A  mantle,  o'er  his  rattling  armor  rolled. 
Flying  the  wind,  that  sings  around  his  helm, 
Mutters  its  plume  and  whirls  the  dusty  realm. 
Onwardr;  the  fertile  fields  are  swept  to  rear, 
Fast- fading  from  the  sight  as  hills  appear; 
Little  are  they,  the  coursers  pass  them  through, 
Plunge  a  swift  stream,  and  forests  come  in  view. 
The  road  is  wide,  surrounding  trees  embrace. 
Branches  with  branches,  o'er  the  trampled  space. 
Late-singing  birds  take  fright  and  skim  away. 
Vicious  the  protest  of  the  beasts  of  prey. 
A  tiger  issues  with  an  ugly  bound; 
A  slaughtering  javelin  spikes  him  to  the  ground. 
Planking  the  road  are  swamps,  alive  with  death. 
\Vith  insects'  hum  and  reptiles'  hissing  breath. 
Snakes  in  the  path  attempt  to  strike  the  steeds ; 
The  lash  resounds  and  hurls  them  to  the  weeds. 
The    woods    are    through;    some    parched    and 

struggling  grass, 
And  then  the  coursers  to  the  desert  pass — 
Bury  their  hoofs;  the  chariot  grinds  the  sand, 
Fire  guts  the  hubs  and  spreads  on  every  hand. 
Nothing  can  check  the  maddening  ride  for  Life; 
Onward  and  nearer  to  the  battle's  strife. 
The  roar  is  heard,   some  straggling  troops  are 

passed, 
And  then  the  goal  is  reached — at  last,  at  last! 
Life  to  the  rearward  of  the  Spirits  stands, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  i8i 

Raising  the  fallen  of  the  tri-commands: 
Love,  Strength.  Stability,  by  Clement  led, 
Against  the   forces  Mideon  ranks  the  head  ; 
Whom  late  we  left  for  mountain  scenes  and  Lust, 
General  to  general,  equal,  fair  and  just. 

Mideon's  forces,  weakened  by  the  slain, 
Thousands  in  number,  show  the  greater  gain; 
Sniall,  very  small,  but  evident  to  view. 
His  downright  valor  nothing  can  subdue. 
His  charger  wades  through  blood  above  the  hoof, 
But  Mideon's  heart  against  all  fear  is  proof; 
Torture  and  death  the  martial  soul  inspires, 
Every  reverse  the  conquering  spirit  fires. 
"Crush  me  you  can  not"  rings  the  voice  within, 
"Knowing  my  strength  I  know  it  yet  shall  win." 
He  suffers  deeply  but  his  will  is  strong. 
Sees  far  ahead  and  drives  the  fight  along; 
Silent  appears  when  minds-a-work-a-day, 

That  end  at  twilight  and  are  swept  away, 
Discouragement  at  every  move  extend. 
Conclude  him  crazy  and  a  worthless  friend. 

But  hold !  the  tide  is  turned :  the  work-a-days 

Xow  flood  their  chief  with  reverential  praise; 

He   won   the  point  I— hence    they    bow    meekly 
sweet. 

Swear  by  his  powers  and  grovel  at  his  feet. 

Because  he  dared  he  w^as  a  worthless  dunce. 

But  through  success  became  a  god  at  once. ' 

Ages  repeat,  tend  little  to  reform, 

People  go  mad  each  day  and  doubters  storm. 
His  plan  was.  place  all  heavy-foot  and  horse 

In  three  great  columns ;  men'  the  foemen  force. 

A  kind  of  phalanx,  six  upon  the  ground. 

Spanning  from  horse  to  horse,  securely  bound 


iS2  The  Rebellion  of  Hpll 

By  lance  and  shield,  while  flankers  hold  the  bits 
Of  the  two  chargers :  thus  the  column  knits. 
The  middle  four  compose  the  fighting  strength, 
Use  sword  and    axe,    the    troopers    spears    of 
length. 

Just  as  the  phalanx  Clement's  forces  face, 
Belaford  ends  his  death-delivering  race; 
Leaps  from  the  chariot,  frees  the  faithful  steeds 
From  the  fierce  flames  and  off  a  distance  leads ; 
Then  hastens  to  the  Heaven-commanding  chief, 
And  gives  his  tale  in  language  sharp  and  brief: 

"The  Brave  Eleven  charged  upon  the  foe 
(As  you  had  ordered)  ;  they  retreated  slow — 
For  miles  resisted,  doggedly  but  well — 
Thousands  on  both  sides  dead  or  wounded  fell- 
On  the  prairie  twixt  this  waste  and  Lust — 
Down  a  steep  hill — both  using  tactics  just — ■' 
Until  a  level  and  a  knoll  we  take — 
Then  hell's  eleven  from  our  forces  break — 
Rush  down  the  hill — we  follow  close  behind — 
They  turn  aside — this  by  their  chief  designed — 
Forward  we  plunge — a  cleft  is  just  ahead — 
It  clogs  with  death — its  river  turns  to  red! 
For  Life  I  come — a  task  awaits  him  there — 
To  raise  our  valorous  phalanx  from  the  snare!'* 

He  ceased  and  Clement,  wrapped  in  troubled 
thought, 
A  spell  was  silent,  then  these  words  gave  out: 
"A  dreadful  war  is  this!  now  Mideon's  ranks 
Have   formed,   both    foot    and    horse,    in    one 

phalanx ; 
Are  pushing  on,  compelling  me  retire — 
That  youngster  Mideon,  none  can  breast  his  fire; 
I  crush  him  here,  he  swings  and  strikes  me  there, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  183 

Invents  as  lightning  movements  strange  and  rare. 
His  phalanx  now  is  pressing  hard  on  me ; 
But,  Prudence,  help  must  straight  be  given  thee. 
I  need  my  soldiers  all — but  what  a  blow ! 
The  Brave  Eleven  sunk  in  bloody  woe ; 
This  too  when  victory  was  so  well  in  sight. 
Yet  such  is  war  when  Heaven  and  carnal  fight. 
Heaven  must  expect  reverses  at  the  last, 
Perhaps  the  worst,  but  still  they  must  be  passed. 
Perhaps  we  must  through  fire-swept  oceans  go, 
Ere  the  great  rise  triumphant  over  woe. 
Let  come  what  may,  if  man  no  duty  shirk, 
Labor  for  Love,  success  will  crown  his  work. 
But  duty,  sir!  Take  half  of  Life's  command, 
And  hasten  back  to  Lust's  ensnaring  land ; 
Instruct  Prince  Lytheus,  organize  anew, 
Besiege  the  city's  wall  and  break  it  through. 
He  knows  the  rest  and  rules  all  eastern  hell ; 
Conquer,  his  one  command.  Sir  chief,  farewell." 

Obeyed.   The  warriors  part.   The  general  goes 
Straight  to  the  front,  to  lead  against  his  foes. 
Prudence  delivers  Life  the  chief's  command, 
Then  one-half,  mounted,  plough  the  desert  sand. 
Leaving  his  second  with  the  part  behind, 
The  prince  of  Life  himself  this  task  assigned. 
Then  Belaford  and  Justin,  mounted  well, 
Ride  at  the  front  through  realms  late  seen  in  hell. 

Just  before  Clement's    troops    and    Mideon's 
fade 
Far  to  the  rear,  the  chiefs  the  fight  surveyed : 
Saw  with  great  sorrow  their  belov-ed  ranks 
Retreating  in  the  face  of  hell's  phalanx; 
Stubborn  and  slow  to  yield  but  still  they  back— 


184  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Haze   dims  the   scene — and    then    a    streak    of 

black — 
A  speck — then  nothing  more  remains  to  view. 
The  troopers  reach  and  pass  the  forest  through; 
Dash  to  the  fertile  plains  of  trampled  wheat, 
Blood,     sorrow,    death    and    herbaged    essence 

sweet. 
Prince  Justin  sees  and  speaks:  ''Products  of 
Life! 
Peace-blooming  nature,  innocent  of  strife. 
Trampled  and  crushed,  as  seen  by  mortal  eye, 
Whose  fragrant  perfume  proves  the  sight  a  lie; 
A  falsehood  which  the  smell  knows  nothing  of, 
As  it  inhales  thy  soul-uplifting  Love — 
Why  dost  thou  wilt? — man  crushed  thee  down — 

but  why? 
Smell  says  you  live,  sight  says  you  soon  will  die. 
Enclose  man's  eyes ;  around  is  sensuous  gloom, 
But  he  sees  perfect  fields  in  thy  perfume. 
Hence  mortal  sense  creates  and  uncreates 
All  bad  in  nature  as  in  men  and  states ; 
And  contradicts  itself  with  eyes  and  nose. 
And  all  the  rest,  and  clogs  the  world  with  woes. 
I  shut  mine  eyes  (this  to  remove  all  fears) 
And  of  an  instant  sight  divine  appears; 
I  look  about  on  beauty  everywhere. 
The  grain  is  nodding  and  the  flowers  are  fair ; 
The  grasses  wave  a  green  enchanting  lake, 
As  soldiers  gaping  from  their  dreams  awake." 
Thus  Justin  spake;  and  now  no  sign  remains 
Of  war's  destruction  on  the  fertile  plains. 
Just  as  he  pictured  it  it  came  to  pass : 
Grain  nods,  flowers  bloom  and  waves  the  velvet 

grass; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  185 

The   fallen  soldiers,  of  the  heavenly  clan, 
Long-seeming  dead,  arise  unto  the  man. 

And  while  these  forces  on  their  journey  sped 
Death  to  his  army  raised  the  carnal  dead. 

The  slope  is  reached  and  then  the  cleft  below, 
Where  Prudence'  army  stands  against  the  foe. 
Ev'r  since  Belaford  left  them  for  the  ride, 
His  ranks  had  breasted  hell's  unequal  tide; 
Nobly  resisted,  one  to  ten  compared, 
Held^  out  alone  till  Life  the  battle   shared. 

Justin  bears  down  on  carnal  from  the  rear. 
With  dreadful  slaughter  ploughs  a  passage  clear; 
Reaches  brave  Prudence  strung  along  the  banks 
Of  the  deep  cleft  of  Heaven's  imprisoned  ranks. 
This  charge  complete  the  forces  then  unite, 
In  an  abrupt  and  most  decisive  fight. 
Carnal's  eleven  backs  some  distance  north, 
To  where  the  cleft  is  bridged,  then  hastens  forth. 
Beats  a  retreat  toward  the  metropole; 
And  Life  to  nobler  duty  gives  his  soul. 

He  works  a  wonder :  calls  the  cleft  a  fraud, 
A  snare  of  hell,  an  enemy  to  God; — 
Knows  Life  is  real  and  dies  not  in  the  flesh, 
But  lives  forever,  is  forever  fresh  : 
Age  cannot  wrinkle  nor  can  sickness  burn, 
Nor  death  crush  out  what  God  has  made  Etern; 
Overlooks  all  the  laws  of  carnal  mind. 
Which  had  the  cleft  to  pain  and  death  assigned; 
Sees  with  the  Spirit  eye  the  picture  there. 
Which  is  of  perfect  Life  and  very  fair. 

And  then  behold ;   A  rumble  and  a  quake. 
The  walls  give  way,  the  Spirit  troops  awake. 
Carnal's  eruption  bursts  what  carnal  wrought, 
A  snare,  a  death-trap  for  the  Heavenly  Thought. 


l86  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

'Twas  ever  thus :  but  give  the  He  to  hell, 
(When  ills  torment)  and  she  will  straight  rebel; 
In  some  way  force  her  brood  of  sin  to  flee ; — 
"But  know  the  Truth  and  it  shall  make  you  free." 

Then,  when  the  walls  no    longer    formed    a- 
wedge, 
The  hill  sloped  gently  to  the  river's  edge. 
It,  which  had  bottomed  late  the  deep  ravine. 
Drinking  the  blood  of  death,  now  flows  serene. 

Battered   heads   straighten,   limbs   and   bodies 
close ; 
Happy  with  life  each  troop  then  upward  goes, 
Where  Justin  sits  with  snakes  and  beasts  around, 
Coiled  up  or  purring,  wrapped    in    peace    pro- 
found. 

When  all  the  forces  had  arrived,  the  chief 
Arising  spoke  this  period  plain  and  brief: 
"General  and  man: — behold  the  power  of  Mind: 
The  dead,  alive,  the  savage  tiger,  kind, 
The  fatal  snake,  as  harmless  as  a  child ; 
Behold,  and  be  no  more  by  sin  beguiled." 

Saying,  he  mounts  and,  followed  by  his  ranks, 
Straightway  departs,  as  all  extend  their  thanks. 

And  then  the  prince  of  Moral  Courage  spake: 
"Now,  generals,  come !  your  various  places  take. 
Time  wanes,  a  mighty  task  awaits  us  yet, 
Yonder  great  city  we  must  now  beset. 
Arrogance  fooled,  but  with  our  lesson  learned, 
We  shall  no  more  from  virtue's  path  be  turned. 
It  lies  to  Lust,  a  city  void  of  soul. 
Trumpets  of  Courage,  let  thine  echoes  roll!" 

These  straight  resound;    the    various    chiefs 
obey. 
Reorganize  for  quick,  prolonged  affray; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  187 

Restore  the  phalanx  with  no  changes  large; 
Prudence    goes    first;    they    then    resume    the 

charge. 
Strengthened  by  past  reverses,  rested  well, 
They  move  with  fur>  t'ward  the  pride  of  hell; 
Then  without  trouble  reach  the  w^all's  defense; — 
The    battle    starts    and    swells    to    heights    im- 
mense. 

The  phalanx  striking  like  great  battering  rams, 
Against  the  wall  the  carnal  army  jams; 
The  moat  surrounding  clogs  till  overflown 
With  drowning  misery  loud  in  deathly  groan. 
Before  the  peerless  charge  of  Heaven's  phalanx, 
Higher  and  higher  piles  the  carnal  ranks; 
Until  the  rampart's  crest  is  leveled,  then, 
As  up  a  hill,  advance  the  Spirit  men, 
Over  the  bodies  of  the  fallen  foe, 
Soft,  smoking,  w^et  with  life's  fast-ebbing  flow. 

But  the  great  forces  on  the  \vall  remain, 
To  mete  out  vengeance  for  their  brothers  slain. 
The  wall  in  thickness  fifty  feet  and  more, 
Emmassed  for  miles  w'ith  armored  men  of  war. 
Is  now  the  seat  of  one  terrific  fight 
That  proves  which   shall  be  master,   wrong  or 
right. 

The  Brave  Eleven  breaks  and  forms  anew. 
Instantly  changes   into  columns  two ; 
Twenty-five  in  each  tier  and  close  withal. 
Stretching  far  out  of  sight  adow^n  the  wall; 
This  too  while  Lust,  Tyburgas'  bought  command, 
Strikes  and  harasses  them  on  every  hand. 

Then  L>1:heu5  orders:  "Charge;  the  rampart 
sweep  1" 


i88  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  both  commands    are    wrapped    in    conflict 

deep. 
The  ranks  courageous  rush  with  triumph  on, — 
Strike,  mash  and  throw  the  lustern  forces  down. 
These  first  condense  in  groups,  then  topple  o'er 
The  monstrous  wall  and  pile  as  those  before. 
Carnal  attempts  the  battling  engines  shoot, 
But  fails ;  too  crowded  is  the  wall  with  foot — 
The  legions  falling,  and  the  Brave  Eleven, 
Losing  no  man  nor  back  an  atom  driven. 
These  forward  fight ;  like  reapers,  mow  the  wall. 
Slash  right  and  left  as  lustern  hirehngs  fall. 
Lust,  till  the  last  one  drops,  retains  her  ground, 
Till  all  below  are  piled,  mound  after  mound. 

Then  Lytheus  speaks:  "O  pity,  what  a  shame! 
That  these  should  perish  for  another's  flame; 
Not  one  but  many,  cowards  vile  within, 
But  with  their  riches  making  gods  of  sin. 
Building  up  fortunes  pillaged  from  the  poor, 
Then  sending  them  to  fight  their  selfish  war. 
Brave  fellows  all,  though  bought  both  arm  and 

soul. 
As  their  rich  masters  drunken  sit  at  bowl, 
Or  preach,  debauch,  defraud,  corrupt,  ensnare, 
Safely     preserved     in     those     proud     mansions 
there—" 

He  points  to  Lust's  exquisite  buildings,  and: 
"Now  chiefs  to  duty,  each  take  his  command. 
Spread  out  in  all  directions  through  the  town. 
Dethrone  the  tyrants,  burn  their  mansions  down, 
Innocence,  worth,  the  poor  and  weak  befriend, — 
But  help  me  God  this  reign  of  greed  must  end- 
It  must  be  done — this  rankest  place  in  hell — 
By  fire,  remember,  fire!    Sir  chiefs,  farewell T' 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  189 

The  Brave  Eleven,  breaking,  now  depart 
Eleven  ways  of  greed  and  broken-heart. 
Lytheus'  forces  on  the  central  street, 
Arrogance'  conquered  chieftain  Palops  meet. 
When  his  command  was  losing  and  he  knew 
'T would  soon  be  crushed  he  coward-like  with- 
drew, 
Sneaked  off  and  hid  till  every  man  was  dead, 
Then  to  the  gate  and  through  the  city  fled ; 
Making  his  way  for  home,  but  now  abreast 
The  prince  of  Moral-Courage,  him  addressed: 

''Lytheus,  spare  me,  pity  me,  regard 
My  sad,  my  low,  my  present  duty  hard ; 
My  ranks  in  death  and  I  to  breast  the  flame 
Of  my  superiors,  who  will  bring  me  shame. 
They  trusted,  purchased,  paid  me  but,  O  god! 
I  lost  and  shall  be  dropped  upon  the  crowd, 
The   common   herd,   a   ruined,   centless   man. 
Who  late  did  rule  supreme  a  powerful  clan." 

To  which  the  prince  (half  pity,  half  disgust)  : 
*'Sir  chief,  ye  well  have    served    your    master. 

Trust — 
Up  to  the  time  my  ranks  besieged  the  town. 
Your  generalship  was  worthy  great  renown. 
That  stratagem  was  executed  well, 
It  sent  me  headlong  o'er  the  cleft  of  hell  ; 
Yes,  every  movement  previous  to  that  time, 
To  say  the  truth,  was  chieftainship  sublime. 
But  your  desertion  puts  on  all  a  stain ; 
O  haughty  pride,  why  didst  thou  not  remain  ? 
Though  venal  art  thou,  men  would  then  respect, 
But  now,  wherever  seen,  they  shall  reject; 
Even  thy  masters  could  admire  thee  dead, 
But  living,  off  shall  go  thy  haughty  head. 


190  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Arrogance,  victim  art  thou  to  the  great; — 
Who  sells  himself  must  suffer,  soon  or  late. 
You  sold  your  life  and  straight  appeared  puffed- 

up. 
Looked  down  on  misery,  drained  the  golden  cup, 
Fawned    at    the    feet    of    pock-marked,    vulgar 

wealth, 
Murderous  thieves  who  drink  the  devil's  health; 
Those  mighty  tyrants,  authors  of  distress. 
Seen  in  review  upon  the  plains  Excess ; 
Who  when  the  battle  started  homeward  went, 
Too  good  to  mix  in  carnal's  discontent. 
'Tis  theirs  to  stir  up  discord,  and  enslave. 
Show  off  in  public,  vulgar  riches  wave. 
But  not  to  fight ;  their  menials  must  do  that, 
Whilst  they  recline  in  lusts  of  gluttonous  fat, 
Devoid  of  patriotism;  only   self, 
Their    sensual   pleasures    and   their   worshipped 

pelf, 
The  sole  respect  for  country;  hence  they  send 
You  hirelings  forth  their  interests  to  defend. 
To  test  a  character  just  give  it  power. 
Office  of  wealth,  or  small  or  large,  an  hour; 
And  see  what  it  in  that  brief  space  wiU  do: 
If  it  regards  your  welfare,  count  it  true. 
If  not  (the  likeliest  case)  then  watch  it  soar, 
That  pismire  upstart  to  despise  the  poor. 
This  you  have  done  and  earned  a  grief  immense; 
I  now  am  finished ;  Palops,  travel  hence." 

He  goes  and  Lytheus  storms  the  city's  hall. 
The  seat  of  law  in  name,  in  truth,  a  pall — 
Where  justice  pleads,  is  murdered  and  forgot, 
Where  foul  corruption  has  the  council  bought. 
Where  grabs  are  common,  taxes  very  high, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  191 

Where  gold  can  anything  or  person  buy, 
Where  worth  is  clubbed  and  hurried  off  to  jail, 
Pillaged  in  court  and  sentenced  without  bail; 
Where  on  reform  the  statute-books  are  loth, 
Ten-thousand  gold,  or  fifty  years,  or  both; 
Where  murder,  rape  and  theft  are  petty  crimes 
(The  fine  grows  smaller  as  increase  the  times)  ; 
Where  innocence,  sobriety,  respect 
And  love  are  treated  with  despised  neglect; 
In  brief,  where  truth  is  clubbed  and  trampled 

down. 
While  vice,  disguised  as  virtue,  rules  the  town. 
Lytheus    speaks:  ''Come,  let  us  now  begin! 
Scatter  with  oil  and  throw  the  torches  in." 
Saying,  he  led  the  way,  the  portals  passed; 
The  troops  around  them  oil  and  torches  cast. 
They  go  throughout  the  building,  set  ablaze, 
And  then  depart,  as  frantic  people  gaze. 
These  Lytheus  orders  back  and  from  the  town : 
''Fly  for  your  lives — we  burn  the  city  down — 
It  must  in  ashes  crumble  to  the  ground ! 
(The  fire  increases  and  the  flames  rebound; 
Scatter  from  house  to  house  along  the  street. 
High  winds  prevail  and  awful  grows  the  heat.) 
"(jo  !  save  your  properties  and  haste  away. 
'Tis  harsh,  I  know,  but  greed  must  tribute  pay. 
The  poor  must  suffer  for  a  little  spell, 
But  that  removes  them  from  the  chains  of  hell; 
From  bondage   worse   than   death — corruption's 

clutch. 
Plundering  pirates,  privileged,  praised  for  such; 
"Captains  of  finance,"  called  in  realms  polite, 
Held  up  to  youth  as  models  of  the  Right. 
And  all  the  lusts  that  clog  this  city  free. 


192  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

O  Poor  bread-winners,  what  are  these  to  thee? 
All  such  are  bought  with  money  snatched  away 
P'rom  bleeding  hearts,  long  hours  and  convict's 

pay. 
That  you  may  live  to  them  your  lives  are  sold, 
Selfish,  religious,  ten-wived   sots  of  gold. 
The  city  falls  for  their  iniquity. 
Fly  from  its  limits,  'tis  no  place  for  thee! 
It  means  a  sacrifice  for  better  ends 
To  pass  from  sinful  things  to  noble  friends; 
But    go,    remembering    Heaven    has    sent    thee 

hence. 
And  shall  repay  thy  loss  in  trebled  pence." 

The  people  much  encouraged  by  his  speech, 
That  held  the  glass  to  Lust's  enslaving  leech, 
Manifold  sucker  of  their  liumble  veins. 
Gather  their  goods  and  hurry  to  the  plains. 
The  prince's  words  spread  rapidly  throughout 
The  city,  to  relieve  the  poor  of  doubt; 
Crowd    after    crowd    with    Heaven-resounding 

praise, 
Unto  the  country  take  their  various  ways. 

The  flames  increase;  enveloped  is  the  hall, 
Fired  from  the  basement  to  the  turrets  tall. 
Windows  and  doors  emit  the  gluttonous  heat. 
Crash !  falls  a  tower  and  clogs  the  busy  street. 
Stones  as  if  metal  melt  and  molten  flow; 
Statues  collapse  and  to  destruction  go. 
One  mockery,  representing  statutes  just, 
A  lovely  woman,  topples  to  the  dust; 
And  one,  of  three  great  patriots,   side  by  side, 
Who  got  a  stroke  of  conscience  ere  they  died, 
Gave  something  to  the  city  they  had  sacked; 
Upon  the  pedestal  these  words  are  tacked: 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  193 

They  built  a  monument  of  solid  gold; 

A  lesson  to  the  people  young  and  old. 

It  falls.    The  flames  increase,  the  building  hide, 

And  spread  around  in  conflagration  wide. 

Now  in  all  portions  of  the  city  mean. 
The  work  of  Heaven's  Eleven's  torch  is  seen. 
The  ranks  of  Prudence  scatter  everywhere. 
As  sentries  guarding  Lust's  ill-gotten  ware. 
Gross  as  it  is  they  wish  it  all  destroyed, 
Not  stolen  by  the  thieves  for  such  employed. 
IMany  fierce  brawls  ensue;  the  prince  is  left 
Himself  to  fight  the  chief  of  Lawless-Theft; 
He,  prudent  Belaford,  and  Sophronand, 
The  thief  unlicensed,  battle  hand  to  hand. 
Knuckles  to  knuckles  each  with  stinging  blows 
Lands  on  his  adversary's  face  and  nose. 
Blood  gushes  forth  and  dims  the  warrior's  sight, 
But  still  they  see  to  prosecute  the  fight. 
They  clinch,  they  break,  they  shift  from  side  to 

side. 
To  land  an  upper-cut  the  robber  tried ; 
But  Belaford  off-guarded  it  and  ground 
His  knuckles  to  the  ribs  with  cracking  sound; 
Landed  upon  the  jaw  a  dreadful  blow, 
And  full  before  him  stretched  his  conquered  foe. 

He  then  commands  the  thief  be  taken  hence. 
Beyond  the  rampart  to  regain  his  sense. 

And  in  the  business  district  Labor  works — 
Where  Speculation,  walled  securely,  lurks ; 
Plies  his  profession,  twisting  laws  to  suit 
His  plundering  highway  methods  absolute. 

Trius,  the  chief  of  Labor's  army,  spoke: 
"Now  noble  workmen  break  this  tyrant's  yoke; 
It,  which  is  placed  upon  our  honest  kind, 


194  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

To  swell  his  coffers  and  our  families  grind. 
He  gambles  in  the  prices  of  our  toil, 
Our  meat  and  breadstuffs,  wages,  hours  and  soil 
Holds  up  and  robs  the  market,  drains  the  banks, 
Closes  the  mills  and  starves  our  humble  ranks. 
I  speak  the  pronoun  ''our"  in  due  respect 
To  Lust's  poor  labor  sunk  in  sad  neglect; 
Reduced,  imposed  upon  until  they  cease 
To  love  each  other  and  delight  in  peace. 
Both  men  and  women  here  must  sell  their  blood 
From  morn  till  night  to  get  the  meanest  food ; 
Live  without  marriage  (taken  as  a  whole) 
Devoid  of  morals  and  the  strength  of  soul. 
Bright  boys  and  pretty  girls  who  love  to  play, 
Denied  all  pleasure  from  their  earliest  day, 
Must  here  to  mammon  sell  their  precious  lives, 
From  breast  to  factory,  factory  to  the  dives. 
Long  hours,  low  wages  and  provisions  dear, 
Is  cause  for  this  sad  state  of  labor  here. 
But  ah!  in  Heaven  conditions  are  reversed. 
Labor's  position  is  amongst  the  first. 
No  mills  for  woman  or  the  rosy  child. 
But  lovely  homes,  the  field  and  forest  wild. 
Man  to  man  equal,  similar  as  in  war. 
We  love  to  serve  our  leaders  rich  or  poor; 
For  they  respect  us,  have  our  lives  at  heart, 
Command  with  love  and  live  from  self  apart. 
All  men  are  made  for  something,  some  to  lead, 
And  some  to  follow,  all  to  silence  greed. 
Like  a  great  mountain  is  the  race  of  man 
(Seen  in  the  realms  of  the  heavenly  clan) 
In  peace  united  for  one  common  end, 
Eternity — that  no  chaos  can  rend. 
The  sturdy  rocks  have  each  their  place  to  fill. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  195 

What  matter  therefore  which  one  tops  the  hill. 
And,  to  return,  we  now  must  break  the  yoke 
Long    held    o'er    laboring    Lust— by    fire    and 
smoke !" 
Saying,  he  batters  down  the  massive  doors, 
As  issues  forth  a  gust  of  maddening  roars. 
Like  drunken  maniacs  the  brawling  mobs 
Here  gamble  off  for  cash  the  people's  sobs ; 
Make  broken-hearts,  starvation  wages,  and 
Increase  the  price  of  living  through  the  land; 
Drive  men  from  honest  work  to  robbing  tills, 
Women  to  worse  and  children  to  the  mills. 

Labor  with  flaming  torches  rushes  in, 
Upsets  the  business,  ends  the  trade  of  sin, 
Throws  right  and  left  the  torches,  chokes  and 

beats 
The  dandy  thieves  and  hurls  them  to  the  streets ; 
Piles  up  the  stocks,  explodes  the  treasure  cell, 
Scatters  the  plunder  gathered  from  all  hell ; 
Then  soaks  in  oil,  ignites  and  hastes  away. 
As  the  flames  spread  and  round  the  building  play. 

Further  on  up  the  street  another  kind 
Of  gambling  is  employed,  but  less  refined; 
Though  none  the  worse,  yet  oft  considered  so— 
By  churchmen  doing  business  down  below. 
Charity  moves  upon  the  barred  estate, 
Where  Lawless-Gamblers  on  their  victims  wait. 
Devices  of  all  kinds  are  here  arrayed: 
Table  and  stand,  the  cards  and  dice  displayed, 
And  men  around  throughout  the  building  large, 
When  Zamba  with  his  forces  makes  the  charge. 
The  portals  barred  give  way  before  his  axe, 
And  they  rush  in;  the  gamblers  quick  relax, 
Conceal  the  goods  and  rake  their  piles  away, 


196  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

In  concert  sing  a  sacred  song  and  pray. 

Prince    Zamba    laughs    and    speaks:    "Most 
clever,  boys ; 
It  seems  that  you  before  have  heard  such  noise; 
And  hence  are  well  prepared  for  sudden  calls, 
To  turn  these  quarters  into  worship  halls. 
But  this  time  no  reformer  makes  the  raid, 
Such  as  delights  to  see  his  name  displayed ; 
'Tis  Charity,  arrived  to  burn  the  town, — 
Lawless  and  lawful  Lust  alike  go  down. 
Impartially  we  work,  to  favor  none, 
Both  cheery  gambler  and  the  trusts  are  one ; 
Both  build  their  systems  on  the  broken-heart. 
Arrests  we  make  not,  therefore,   sirs,   depart;" 

All  leave  but  Fondlen.    Thus  the  gamblers' 
chief: 
"Pray,  sir,  what  means  this  ceremony  brief? 
I  certainly  have  nothing  done  to  thee; 
Why,  therefore,  dost  thou  rob  and  ruin  me?" 

*'You  certainly  have  not;  nor  do  we  rob. 
But  burn  the  system  built  on  many  a  sob. 
Think   of   the   wretched   homes   that   you   have 

made ; 
Children  in  rags  while  selfish  fathers  played; 
Their  wives  or   daughters   sent  the   downward 

path. 
While  they  could  round  your    tables    joke    and 

laugh. 
*Tis  charity  to  stop  it !   Sir,  begone. 
Else  these,  your  wicked  walls,  shaW  crush  you 
down." 

He  goes.     The  raiders  set  the  place  afire, 
And  then  beyond  the  danger  line  retire. 

A  vulgar  glittering  place  across  the  way 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  197 

Is  at  the  same  time  made  the  torches'  prey. 
Tis  the  great  palace  of  lascivious  pride, 
Where  all  such  appetites  are  satisfied— 
For  payment  down.    No  matter  what  is  sought, 
It  for  consideration  can  be  bought. 
The  place   is   Gluttony.    Lord   Polymore, 
The  master  loose,  has  everything  in  store ; 
To  please  his  guests  his  one  supreme  delight, 
That  is,  if  the  wherewithal  is  in  sight. 
The  main  saloon  that  opens  on  the  street 
Emits  trash-music  and  foul-odorous  heat. 
Inside  we  go.   The  drinking-bar  is  lined 
With  human  hogs,  both  common  and  refined: 
The  merchant,  sailor,  soldier,  student,  clerk, 
And  shark  who  lets  his  victims  do  the  work. 
The  walls  are  hung  with  pictures  richly  framed ; 
To  paint,  the  famished  artist  was  ashamed, 
But  had  to  do  them,  for  in  City  Lust 
Good  pictures  purchase  not  the  stalest  crust. 
The  daubs  are  all  of  amorous  delight: 
Suggestive,  or  held  plainly  to  the  sight. 
The  mammoth  hall  adjoining  this  saloon 
Contains  the  music  or— the  trashy  tune; 
A  kind  of  concert.    Dancers  crowd  the  floor. 
And  tables  flank  the  walls  from  door  to  door. 
Around  are  seated  creatures  gulping  wine, 
Women  in  paint,  and  raiment  cheaply  fine, 
Degraded  men,  and  boys  who  soon  will  be. 
And  truant  girls,  scarce  sixteen-years  but  free. 
Both  these  and  those  afloor  embrace  and  wink, 
To  please  their  partners  as  they  dance  or  drink. 
And  in  another  hall,  at  tables  white, 
The  hungry  guests  appease  their  appetite. 
Above  are  rooms,  of  pleasure  not  so  tame, 


198  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Trap-doored  and  paneled  for  the  badger  game; 
And  others — let  suggestion  here  suffice; — 
Poetry  dies  when  she  caresses  vice. 

'Tis  at  this  instant  Heaven's  command  arrives. 
And  throws  in  panic  all  the  various  dives. 
In  rushes  Freon,  chief  of  Homage,  and 
His  worth-respecting,  trash-despising  band. 
The  battle-axes  batter  down  the  daubs, 
That  the  deserving  art  of  painting  robs, 
Destroy  the  bar,  the  concert  and  the  feast, 
Club  right  and  left  the  venal  and  the  beast ; 
Hasten  above  and  splinter  all  in  sight. 
As  the  base  creatures  faint  or  offer  fight; 
But     the     fierce     axe,    in    hands    of    matchless 

strength. 
Measures  its  victims  on  the  floor  full  length. 
The  forces  then  return  and  set  ablaze 
The  virtue-honor-home-destroying  maze  ; — 
But  only  such  along  with  many  more, 
Some  we  have  seen  and  some  are  yet  in  store. 

Modesty's  army  charging  tramples  down, 
Centered  in  dreamy  trees  and  restful  lawn, 
A  flowery  garden,  blooming  sweetly  round 
A  marble  mansion  by  green  ivy  wound. 
Who  here  abides?   with  all  of  nature's  bloom, 
Attracting  passers-by  with  sweet  perfume, 
With  fairy  gardens,  forests  hung  in  moss, 
Romantic  paths  that  every  portion  cross ; 
With  fount  and  lakelet,  arbors  close  at  hand, 
So  dainty  that  they  seem  by  nature  planned ; 
With  gentle  birds  and  beasts  of  prettiest  breed, 
That  skim  the  lake  or  air,  or  slowly  feed. 
Who  here  abides?  enticing  from  the  whirls 
Of  shop  and  factory,  poor  unpitied  girls; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  199 

Whose  honest  toil  scarce  half  expenses  pay, 
Slaving  from  early  sun  till  close  of  day ; 
Who,  thereby  forced  on  others  for  supjxDrt, 
Enter  this  premise  as  a  last  resort ; 
Where  men,  more  fortunate  than  they,  supply 
The  lack  in  wages  for  a  premium  high. 
Women  with  husbands  moralize,  and  blame 
These  girls  thus  driven  to  the  realms  of  shame; 
But  with  providers  to  supply  their  needs, 
They  know  not  what  foul  passion  misery  breeds ; 
An  empty  room,  with  insufficient  food — 
And  scanty  clothes,  what  object  to  be  good! 
Churches  and  books  can  ne'er  the  curse  assuage; 
'Tis  lessen  profit  and  increase  the  wage. 
Who  here  abides?  'tis  Fornication's  chief. 
Long  exercised  in  ways  of  human  grief; 
With  grounds  enticing,  riches  without  end, 
And  every  single-man  in  Lust  his  friend. 

Modesty's  ranks  besiege  the  wicked  place ; 
In  from  the  street  and  through  the  garden  race, 
Surround  the  buikhng,  sentinel  the  grounds ; 
As  the  Prince  Lovedon  to  the  portal  bounds, 
Breaks  down  the    door    and,    followed    by    his 

guard, 
Enters ;  to  look  on  masculine  features  hard, 
On  hags  deep-wrinkled  long  before  their  time. 
On  girls  just  treading  through    the    brinks  of 

slime. 
On  others  well  afloat  with  breezes  fair, 
On  others  wrecked  and  weeping  in  despair. 
The  men  include  all  character  and  soul, 
Trade  and  profession  in  the  metropole; 
Both  young  and  old  commingle  here  in  vice, 
Girl  after  girl  to  passion  sacrifice. 


2CX)  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Zota,  the  master  of  this  hellish  place, 
Deep-marked  by  sin,  with  hard,  distorted  face, 
Confronts  the  chief  of  Modesty  with  these: 
"Why  break  my  door,   what  here  can  soldiers 

please  ? 
And  Heaven's  command  at  that ;  upon  the  plain 
Is  where  belongs  your  class  of  strife  and  pain; 
Not  here  where  peaceful  men  and  women  dwell, 
Indifferent  to  the  wars  of  Heaven  and  hell!" 

Provoked  at  this,  Prince  Lovedon  thus  replies : 
"Why  break  the  door?   That  Fornication  dies! 
What   here  can    soldiers    please?    Your    house 

aflame. 
And  women  rescued  from  this  life  of  shame! 
Upon  the  plains  our  realm  ?  Twas  once  the  case ; 
Not  now  for  Lust  has  fallen  to  disgrace. 
The  town  is  burning,  sin  is  doomed  to  die! 
Indifferent,  eh?  But  go,  for  safety  fly! 
Orders  are  strict;  we  dare  no  mortal  burn; 
Only  the  systems  must  this  raid  concern — 
But  ere  Love's  forces  quit  the  city's  bound, 
These  wrecked  forever  crumble  to  the  ground. 
Now  go,  foul  chief,  and  men  and  women  go ! 
Soldiers  to  work,  at  once  the  torches  throw!" 

'Tis  done.    The  residents  in  terror  fly. 
Cursing  or  screaming,  and  the  babies  cry. 
Her  task  completed,  Heaven's  command  retires, 
As  from  all  sections  shoot  the  fatal  fires. 

Across  the  street  Polygamy  resides, 
Walled-in  to  check  the  town's  opposing  tides, 
And  those  of  carnal's  universe  as  well; — 
Each  system  thinks  all  but  itself  is  hell. 
Lust  is  peculiar,  strange  but  truth  alone, 
He  the  most  guilty  casts  the  primal  stone. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  20i 

Polygamy,  but  one  of  many  here, 

Is  made  the  mark  of  punishment  severe; 

Because  it  sanctions  with  the  word  of  god. 

What  others  practice  secretly  by  fraud. 

Both  blushing  evils,  but  consult  the  book; 

If  you  believe,  then  cease  the  scornful  look; — 

Exclude  the  Four*  and  such  is  sacred  writ, 

And  this  jew-system  has  the  truth  of  it. 

Some  say :  **A  higher  meaning  there  is  found ;" 

Nonsense!  'tis  far  too  vulgar  to  be  sound. 

Theory  can  make  the  devil  look  a  saint, 

All  that  is  needed  is  the  proper  paint. 

All  creed  is  theory,  nothing  has  been  proved, 

And  that  old  hook  has  never  sin  removed. 

So  long  as  it  is  volumed  with  the  Four, 

Polygamy  will  threaten  every  door. 

The  noble  Greek  a  higher  standard  had. 
With  all  his  gods  he  knew  the  good  from  bad. 
Respected  woman  and  the  human  heart. 
For  in  his  Heaven  these  took  important  part. 
The  Hebrew's  personal  one  god  ruined  all, 
Bid  selfish  man  arise  and  woman  fall. 
Charity,  Love  and  Truth  a  long  farewell, 
And  built  the  temple  of  polygamous  hell. 
Jesus  their  prophet  came ;  but  strange  to  say, 
Although  a  Jew  he  taught  another  way; 
And  stranger  still,  the  modern  Christian  race 
Give  in  their  creeds  these  Hebrews  equal  space. 

The  wall  surrounding  this  renowned  estate, 
Is  now  the  center  of  commotion  great; 
AflFection's  army  fronts  with  battering  rams, 
And  with  effect  the  strong-resistance  jams. 

*Matthew,  Mark,  Luke  and  John. 


202  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

At  length  it  yields  and  Heaven's  command  pro- 
ceeds, 
Where    Desert*   keeps   his   various    wives    and 

breeds ; 
Raising  up  bastards  to  begod  him  hence : — 
Such  is  the  theory  to  delude  the  sense; 
That  of  the  women,  victims  of  his  lust. 
Who  think  it  legal  and  such  children  just; 
Who  think  they  sacrifice  their  hearts  to  God, 
Not  man  whose  vicious  conduct  they  applaud. 
These  are  the  radicals.   (But  others  die 
Of  broken-heart  expecting  peace  on  high.) 
Such  is  the  theory  but  the  facts  are  these : 
The  system  is  the  lusts  of  man  to  please; 
An  Abraham  or  Solomon  or  Young — 
Religion  nonsense !  'tis  from  passion  sprung. 
A  hellish  swindle  of  lascivious  man — 
Always  the  married  kind — and  this  the  plan: 
Ambition,  church  and  wealth  are  first  required, 
And  next  a  wife  of  whom  the  brute  is  tired, 
Then  a  fair  woman  with  his  wealth  in  love, 
And  last  a  revelation  from  above ; — 
To  save  his  name  and  hers  from  scandal's  breath, 
And  send  the  first-wife  tortured  to  her  death. 
To  legalize  what  man  should  overcome 
Is  of  polygamy  the  total  sum. 

Now,  in  the  center  of  this  lord's  estate, 
By  lawns  surrounded  is  a  palace  great, 
Wherein  abides  the  woman  married  last — 
'Tis  democratic,  changes  rulers  fast. 
Off  to  the  right  with  neither  tree  nor  grass 
Surrounding  dwells  the  consorts  second  class, 
All  in  a  building  half  the  size  of  that 

*Chief  of  the  State  Polygamy. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  203 

(The  palace)  where  each  one  has  mistress  sat; — 
When  she  was  younger,  when  a  rosy  bride, 
Who,  when  the  next  appeared,  was  put  aside. 
And  to  the  left  the  first  wives  live  and  die, 
In  an  old  hut  with  spacious  stables  nigh. 

Throughout  the  grounds  unnumbered  children 
play. 

Or,  formed  in  cliques,  engage  in  fistic  fray; 
While  in  the  house  their  mothers  grieve  and  hate, 
Jealous,  rebellious  or  resigned  to  fate. 

When^  Heaven's  command  the  battering-rams 
discharge, 
In  fright  to  cover  fly  the  family  large. 
Around  its  various  mothers,  crowd  the  house. 
The  wives  for  help  beseech  their  common  spouse. 

The  mutual  love  at  this  essential  hour 
Is  with  his  new  wife  basking  in  her  bower. 
Hearing  the  noise  he  hurries  down  below 
(Just  then  the  rampart  opens  to  the  foe), 
And  from  his  porch  confronts  Afi:"ection's  chief; 
"Frenden,  why  hither  come  as  feudal  thief? 
To  wreck  my  home  and  that  of  my  good  wives, 
And  with  my  children  take  our  harmless  lives  ?  ' 
O  god  of  Israel,  when  shall  thine  be  free 
In  peace  to  worship  and  to  follow  thee ! 
To  raise  big  families  as  thou  didst  command, 
Not  like  the  Grecian  Heathen  still  at  hand, 
Worshipping  mammon,  hating  homely  life,' 
Having  few  children  and  one  puny  wife. 
Trampling  thy  law  of  parentage  to  dust, 
Liymg  in  marriage  but  to  license  lust—'* 

"Silence  that  practised  sophistry — no  more! 
It  I  have  heard  a  thousand  times  before. 
Disgusted,  sick  and  wearied,  I  refuse 


204  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

On  its  account  another  thought  to  lose. 
Our  business  here  'tis  needless  to  relate; 
Now  men,  the  torch — destroy  his  vile  estate!" 

As  these  obey  (the  building  set  ablaze), 
The    flabby,    brute-faced,    thick-necked    Desert 

prays ; 
This  for  deliverance  from  Heathen  man — 
Then  runs ;  his  wives  to  shift  as  best  they  can. 
But  with  their  breeds,  the  brand  of  their  dis- 
grace. 
Assisted  by  the  troops,  they  quit  the  place. 

Thus  selfish  wickedness  deserts  at  last 
His  victims,  who  can  ne'er  remove  the  past; 
But  need  he  not  some  punishment  expect? — 
The  pandemonium  justice  shall  correct. 

But  others  are  there  of  this  selfish  kind, 
Often  religious,  sometimes  not  refined; 
Always  perverted,  never  in  the  right, 
And  to  the  good  a  most  repulsive  sight. 

Listen,  a  story:  Spring  is  on  the  land. 
Restless  the  feelings,  Nature  makes  demand; 
Studies  no  more  delight  the  studious  mind, 
Labor  moves  slowly  to  the  task  assigned; 
The  scene  and  air  bid  all  from  these  depart, 
Romance  entwines  herself  around  the  heart. 
Quiet!  in  sweet  affection's  early  day, 
Seest  thou  them :  the  lovers  wend  their  way  ? 
O  beauteous  time !  with  youth  within,  around. 
In  every  feeling,  vision,  scent  and  sound. 
Sweet  hours !  devotion's  sunbeams,  soothing  air, 
The  kiss  enchanting,  velvet  cheeks  so  fair ; 
The  touch  resistless,  silken  tresses  pressed. 
The    clasped    endearment     and     the     quickened 
breast. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  205 

The  promise;  evening  folding  soft  the  view; 
The  last  affections'  whispering  sweet  adieu.  ' 

Autumn.     A  lovely  summer  lulled  away, 
To  memory  fond,  one  long  melodious  lay; 
Precious  to  them  so  joyous  in  their  love, 
That  first  affection,  few  know  nothing  of; 
Though  not  the  happiest  always,  seldom  wrong. 
Or  won  or  lost,  an  ever  touching  song. 
Marriage  and  home;  with  every  boon  of  life, 
A  faithful  husband  and  devoted  wife, 
In  time  a  babe,  and  fortune  all  the  while ; 
A  love  that  seemed  would  never  cease  to  smile 

There  comes  a  change ;— a  woman— peace  for 
hell ; 

To  mother,  babe  and  home  a  long  farewell ' 

Whither.  O  man,  that  honest  boyhood  love* 

Eternal  seeming  and  all  sin  above? 

Hast     thou      forgot  ?— shall     conscience     ne'er 
awake  ? — 

Wilt  go  thee  to  her,  and  thy  babv  take? 

Nay;   weeping   home,    farewell !— nor    wife   nor 
child 

Can  touch  the  conscience  thus  by  sin  defiled: 
When  honor,  character  and  love  are  fled, 
Man  glories  in  the  tears  by  woman  shed.' 

Such  is  the  tale,  told  only  with  one  side, 
Both  men  and  women  in  this  class  abide. 
Close  by  the  two  we  late  have  seen  in  flames 
Looms  the  great  castle  of  unnumbered  shames- 
Adultery,  Lord  Stravo  here  is  law; 
Him,  once  upon  the  plains  excess,  we  ^aw 
Who  dared  to  kiss,  and  filled  with  wild  alarm 
The  prmcess,  saved  by  Mideon's  fearless  arm' 
Movmg  with  caution  Honor's  ranks  are  seen 


2o6  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Up  the  wide  garden  trampling  down  the  green. 
No  walls  surround    Lord    Stravo's    sumptuous 

seat, 
Open  to  view  from  castle  to  the  street. 
Like  Fornication's  garden  'tis  to  draw, — 
Though  not  the  child  but  adults  Hnked  by  law ; 
Of  equal  beauty,  much  alike  in  style, 
The  social  center  of  that  practice  vile. 

The  forces  reach  the  porch;  above  the  door 
A  coat-of-arms  is  hung,  with  this  before: 
True  love  is  freedom,  marriage  is  a  fraud, 
Exchange  your  zvives    or    husbands    and    know 

god. 
A  blushing  motto  but  the  truth  is  writ ; 
How  many  think  it,  talk  it,  practice  it? 

All  new-thought  theory  snarls  at  sinful  flesh, 
To  check  one  evil  make  a  hundred  fresh. 
When    known,    'tis    good,    misunderstood,    'tis 

base — 
Such  is  the  trouble  with  the  present  race. 
An  epoch  always  breeds   fanatics  first, 
Who    think  the  world    shall    be    forthwith    re- 
versed. 
But  theory  must  have  years  of  weeding  out, 
Changing,  correcting,  blending  life  with  thought, 
Accepting  not  what  seems  but  what  is  best — 
For  all  mankind,  be  put  to  every  test. 
To  suit  the  man,  the  woman,  age  and  youth, 
Before  it  can  be  reckoned  as  a  Truth. 
But  slander  marriage  or  as  good  as  say : 
*'We  have  advanced  beyond  that  foolish  day — 
Ye  cold-blood  ancients  dead  to  love's  romance — 
And  see  which  way  the  children's  minds  advance. 
Improve  they  do  not!  weddings  less,  'tis  sure; 


The  Rebelliox  of  Hell  207 

They  throw  off  virtue  for  affairs  impure. 
Behold  the  motto  Stravo's  door  above, 
See  the  resuk  when  cursed  is  married  love. 
Xew  this,  new  that,  and  all  at  marriage  slam ; 
That  sacred  tie — be  cautious  how  you  damn! 
Jt  binds  secure  the  nation   with  the  heart; 
Discourage,  and  that  union  soon  shall  part. 
The  soldier,  statesman,  citizen  are  made. 
Not  when  full-grown  but  when  in  cradles  laid, 
By  loyal  mothers  glad  that  they  were  born, 
Xot  waifs  unwelcome  and  conceived  in  scorn. 

The  forces  axe  the  door ;  it  soon  gives  way ; 
They   forward  rush;  and    straight    the    torches 

prey. 
The  panic  then  is  awful,  women  shriek, 
The  men  protesting  in  loud  discord  speak. 
Some    stumble,  push    and   faint,   and    some   en 

masse 
Beclog  the  doors  in  vain  attempt  to  pass ; 
Some  cry  for  mercy,  some  their  features  claw, 
Others  less  weak  to  fight  their  weapons  draw. 
The  raid  had  broken  up  a  sumptuous  treat, 
Given  by  Stravo  for  his  ladies  sweet. 
All  social  Lust  was  present  to  partake 
His    generous    wealth,    and    new    acquaintance 

make ; 
Share  in  the  pleasure,  form  fresh  loving  ties, 
Discard  the  stale  and  ease  their  lawless  sighs. 

The  castle,  tower  to  tower,  from  floor  to  floor, 
The  costliest  wood  and  silken   fixtures  wore. 
The  banquet-hall,  where  they  were  feasting  then, 
Held  sensual  paintings,  music,  dames  and  men ; 
Not  man  and  wife; — the  first  had  his,  my  dear, 
The  last,  her  soft,  floor-mopping  cavalier — ' 


2o8  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Who  waited  on  her  every  trivial  whim, 
Bowed,   scraped  around    and    spoke    the    lingo 

prim ; 
"Permit   me — mine — a   pleasure — not   at   all," 
And  other  puke-talk  of  the  social  hall. 
The  first,  with  wife  neglected,  grieved  at  home, 
Or  forced  to  hire  herself  or  ragged  roam; 
The  last,  with  a  good  husband,  not  so  blest 
As  Stravo  with  his  riches,  or  his  guest. 
But  laboring  hard  to  keep  the  wolf  away, 
Honest,  forgiving,  hoping  day  by  day. 

The  raiders  change  the  banquet  into  smoke, 
Prince  Warathon  of  Plonor  briefly  spoke: 
"Lord  Stravo,  monarch  of  adulterous  Lust, 
Behold  thy  system  crumbling  to  the  dust. 
But  thou,  the  ruling  thought  behind  it  all, 
Must  face  thy  punishment  at  carnal's  call. 
Sin  destroys  sin :  'tis  Heaven's  to  battle  it. 
Expose,  disorganize,  dethrone — and  quit. 
Hence,    Stravo,    go ! — my    words    for    all    are 

meant — 
li  wouldst  escape  no  second  can  be  spent; 
Five  minutes  more  the  walls  shall  tumble  down. 
The  flames  are  scorching,  all  for  life,  begone!" 

The  walls  in  places  oped  by  battering-rams 
Let  out  the  frantic,  half-exhausted  jams; 
They  fly  for  safety.  Honor  close  behind. 
And  the  house  tumbles  in  the  space  assigned. 

Right  in  the  heart  of  City  Lust  there  stands 
A  church — or  building  for  religious  bands. 
'Tis  very  pretty :  broad  and  heavy  walls, 
Of  whitest  stone,  and  large  commodious  halls; 
A  dome  of  copper;  stained,  the  glass  around; 
Exquisite  finish  on  interiors  found. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  209 

'Tis  the  great  sanctuary  for  the  proud, 
Or  rich  or  sycophant,  to  worship  god. 
Its  ^'welcome  all"  is  rather  incomplete. 
If  judged  by  those  now  entering  from  the  street; 
Dressed  ultra-fine,  discussing  social  gleams, 
Horse,  swindle,  scandal  and  get-richer  schemes; 
Puffed  up  and  showing  off; — no  place  is  here 
For  him  without  at  least  a  million  clear — 
In  cash  or  dreams.    The  last  has  pretty  stocks — 
Judging  the  paper — in  unnumbered  blocks ; 
A  thousand  schemes,  from  wind  put  up  in  bars, 
To  selling  building  lots  on  planet  Mars. 
These  rogues  illegally  within  the  law, 
From  the  less  cautious  their  possessions  draw, 
Tautology  (that  studied  legal  term) 
Always  leaves  holes  through  which  such  rascals 

squirm. 
Brokers,  miners,  chemists  or  engineers — 
According  to  the  scheme  that  best  appears — 
They  call  themselves ;  promoter  is  too  tame, 
But  lazi'fiil  pirates  is  their  proper  name. 

Just  before  Lust  was  ordered  to  be  fired, 
For  heavenly  worship  these  to  church  retired. 
No'v  all  are  seated ;  services  begin ; 
Music  resounds  to  whet  the  hearts  of  sin. 
Some    weep    because    their    deals    have    fallen 

through. 
Others    fresh    schemes    from    rattling    nostrils 

blew ; 
Others  see  millions  hanging  in  their  tears. 
Some,  gold  mines  cropping  from  the  preacher's 

ears; 
Some,  oil  wells  bubbling  out  of  every  seat, 
And  some  for  winter  baled-up  summer  heat. 


210  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  music  finished,  Parmley,  pious  chief  „ 

Of  Lawful  Piracy,  thus  spake  in  brief,  I 

(He,  lank  appearing,  gray  of  beard  and  hair, 
Of  sanctimonious  carriage,  voice  and  stare)  :  , 

''Belov'd,  my  text  to-day  is  Matthew  Six —  ■ 

The  words  I  quote  will  with  my  subject  mix — 
'Lay  not  up  treasures  on  this  earth  for  thieves,* 
(The  nineteenth  verse — not  everyone  believes)  : 
Now,  we  must  practice  it  as  Jesus  taught : 
He  meant  not  money  but  our  sacred  thought ; 
Which  should  be  giv'n  the  poor  on  Sabbath  days., 
When  we  to  /;//;/  surrender  up  our  praise. 
Upon  these  words  another  meaning  rests, 
Jesus  by  them  our  moral-courage  tests ; 
The  strongest  man  and  most  in  touch  with  him, 
Is  he  who  fills  his  coffers  to  the  brim. 
Riches  are  holy,  proof  that  god  is  love, — 
Does  not  all  treasure  come  from  up  above? 
God  wishes  all  to  labor ;  he  who  will, 
The  father  shall  his  every  wish  fulfil. 
Hence,  lay  not  treasures  up  in  ought  but  gold, 
And  freely  give  the  poor  thy  thoughts,  as  told. 
And  now,  beloved,  keep  from  sin  aw  ay. 
Be  strong,  be  good,  and  labor — let  us  pray." 

But  before  they  had  time  to  humble — cra;=h! 
The  raiders  rend  the  door  and  inward  da"^!!. 
'Tis  Honest  Wealth's  command  with  torch  and 

oil. 
Which  throws  the  pirates  into  great  turmoil. 
Chief  Conavoy,  whom  they  had  seen  before. 
Battling  their  thievish  schemes  in  peace  and  war, 
Whose  very  name  was  fearful  to  their  ears, 
Now,  rushing  up  the  pulpit  steps,  appears. 
A  heavy  man,  clean-shaved,  with  prudent  eyes; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  211 

His  armor  clanking  he  to  Parmley  flies: 
Clutches  around  the  neck  his  pi  rate- foe, 
And  hurls  him  headlong  to  the  floor  below. 
This  done,  he  speaks:  "Vile  thief,  thy  reign  is 


o  er 


That  sermon  is  the  last  one  evermore. 
I  heard  it  not,  but  can  its  substance  tell — 
Suiting  the  Savior's  words  to  ways  of  hell; 
Your  villainous  methods  of  obtaining  gold, 
In  words  of  Jesus'  noblest  sermon  rolled. 
Torment!  thou  wreck  of  many  an  honest  man, 
Woman  and  child,  is  conscience  in  thy  plan? 
Suffer  or  feel  the  pangs  of  misery,  thou! 
Who  can  within  this  pulpit  preach  and  bow  ? 
Take  text   from  him  who  meant  just  what  he 

said. 
And  twist  to  mean,  rob  pennies  from  the  dead? 
Foul  hypocrite!  A  shame  that  even  hell 
So  long  permits  such  in  its  borders  dwell! 
Hell  loves  the  rascal  from  religion  free. 
But  hates,  and  ranks  above,  the  like  of  thee ! 
Righteous  is  wealth  alone  when  third  in  mind — 
The  natural  outcome  of  God's  task  assigned: 
Honesty,  love,  the  home  and  nation  first; 
Charity  second — then  'tis  not  accurst. 
But  with  these  heeded  it  cannot  be  great, 
But  very  small,  and  free  from  church  and  state. 
Now,  Parmley,  go  ! — the  congregation  too —         1 
Here  waste  no  time  else  fire  shall  swallow  you ; 
This  church,  this  robber's  den,  must  burn  from 

sight ; — 
Ho,  men,  the  tanks!    spread    oil    around,    and 

light." 
The  doors  emit  the  Pirates,  glad  to  go ; 


212  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  building  fired,  withdraws  their  honest  foe 
The  thieves,  now  driven  from  their  den  away, 
Fly  to  their  vessels  anchored  in  the  bay. 
Then  Parmley  prays,  a  most  impassioned  prayer. 
That  much  relieves  his  conscience  from  its  carcj 
This  done,  makes  preparation  for  defense 
Of  what  he  terms  his  injured  innocence; 
Places  the  battling  engines  round  about; — 
Another  prayer,  this  time  in  silent  thought: 
To  whip  his  nagging  conscience  into  line, 
To  know  himself  not  mortal  but  divine, — 
Spiritual,  perfect,  absolutely  pure, 
Above  all  sin,  in  god's  embrace  secure; 
And  Honest  Wealth  astray  from  wisdom's  mark, 
Misguided,  low  and  laboring  in  the  dark. 

Good  Government,  besieging  near  the  strand. 
Notifies  Wealth,  who  hastens  his  command, 
Engages  with  the  Pirates  from  the  shore, 
With  carnal  csigines  taken  late  in  war. 

Here  let  us  leave  them  hurling  missiles  large, 
And      join      Good      Government's      besieging 

charge ; — 
Against  that  haughty,  state-enslaving  foe. 
The  richest,  meanest  in  the  realms  below ; 
The  natural  outgrowth  of  commercial  greed, 
From  a  small  pollen  to  hell's  biggest  weed; 
Hell's  absolute  monopoly — The  Trusts 
That  competition  feed  on  choking  dusts. 
Drive  out  of  business,  swallow  up  the  trade. 
But  curse  not,  little  man,  for  them  you  made ; 
Drugging  the  market,  running  prices  down, 
Starving  yourself,  and  business  of  the  town; 
Cutting  thereby  man's  wages  right  in  two, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  213' 

And    stretching    hours    'till    work    was    never 

through ; 
'Till  something  had  to  come  and  trade  redeem, 
At  first  'twas  good,  soon  the  direct  extreme. 
Prices  were  equalized ;  and  wages  rose, 
But  not  proportioned  to  produce  and  clothes, 
And  all  things  else,  or  raised,  or  made  or  used, 
Until  to-day  man  is  as  much  abused. 
Satan  was  hemmed  in  competition's  purse. 
And    is    in    Trust's, — though    richer,    none    the 
worse. 

The  Capitol  of  Combine  from  the  strand 
Is  reached — and  sits  upon  a  hillock  grand; 
O'erlooking  Lust,  the  sea,  the  country  round, 
With  a  great  wall  below  securely  bound. 
The  battering-rams  soon  make  the  rampart  real, 
And  enters  firm  the  Government  ideal, 
That  rules  the  Spirit  Mind  without  a  fault. 
That  compels  greed  by  simple  means  to  halt. 

No  theory  here  makes  savages  of  man. 
At  nation,  business,  justice  hurls  a  ban, 
Damns  right  and  left  all  things  the  rulers  do, 
Out  of  base  ignorance  of  the  wrong  or  true; 
Just  because  those  have  power  and   they  have 

not. 
Misguided  sycophants  of  hellish  rot. 
Of  fire-brand  malcontents,  who  dip  the  pen 
In  the  heart's  blood  of  these  same  envious  men, 
Cause  them  to  preach  the  gospeJ  of  distress. 
Founded  on  theory  damned  of  happiness. 
Robbing  the   soul  of  inborn  natural  peace, 
Keeping  them  down  in  slavery,  rags  and  grease, 
When   education,   elegance   and   love 
Are  labor's  realm,  which  God  has  placed  above. 


214  The  Rebelijox  of  Hell 

But  by  such  hates  work  rises  not  a  stitch ; 
These  but  antagonize  its  foes — the  rich, 
Who,  with  each  shaft  of  hatred,  harder  press — 
For  two  can  play  that  spiteful  game  of  guess; 
But  with  the  lucre  winning  all  the  leads, 
Feasting  on  wine  while  work  on  carrion  feeds. 

Labor  may  gain  success  by  methods  bad, 
Only  to  sink  again  in  misery  sad. 
]\Ia]ice  and  vengeance  can  not  rule  a  state, 
Or  its  main  body,  labor's  army  great. 
Whate'er  the  party  built  on  these  must  fall. 
The  workman's  Savior  is  the  Christ  of  all. 
Therefore,  Good  Government  can  only  come. 
Through  each  man  ridding  self  of  carnal  scum; 
Casting  out  dev'ls,  not  making  them  to  fight, 
Strike,  kill,  combine  to  govern  all  in  sight. 
'Seek  first  the  heavenly  Kingdom  and  the  rest,* 
Sure  as  the  sun  moves  daily  to  the  West,* 
'Shall  added  be,'  to  home  and  government; 
For  Love  is  Heaven  that  brings  this  wished  con- 
tent. 
The  na»tion  first  must  love  itself  as  one, 
Before  the  fight  'twixt  wealth  and  toil  is  done; 
A  long  way  hence,  but  let  us  now  begin, 
Each  day  remove  at  least  a  speck  of  sin. 
With  error  war  but  never  with  the  man. 
As  seen  herein  the  good  and  evil  clan. 
In  living  figures  placed  to  make  it  plain. 
That  Spirit  can  o'er  carnal  victory  gain ; 
This  when  the  Good  IVfind  concentrates  and  acts, 
Travels  through   blood   and   fire,   and   ne'er  re- 
tracts ! 

*  Metaphorically  speaking, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  215 

Good      Government      (the     rampart     broken 
through) 
Has  not  an  easy  victory  to  pursue. 
The  hillock  from  the  bottom  to  the  top, 
Has  covered  holes  in  which  the  forces  drop. 
Glass   broken,   sharpest   spears   and   swords   are 

there, 
To  torture  victims  falling  in  the  snare. 
But  Chevaleers  gives  courage  to  his  men, 
Until  at  length  they  reach  the  robber's  den; 
The  robber's  den  of  dens  in  City  Lust, 
The  capitol  of  all  commercial  Trust. 

Chief   Scorparon,   a  weak,   dyspeptic  man, 
Does  here  abide,  and  rule  his  powerful  clan — 
Or  did  before  this  most  destructive  day, 
That  swept  his  army,  power  and  friends  away. 
He,  not  a  field  commander  as  was  told, 
Fought  till  this  time  through  mediums  of   his 

gold; 
But  now — by  his  great  army  left  alone, 
(It  conquered,  dead!)  he  frantic  sits  his  throne. 
Deprived  of  power  which  once  was  very  great, 
He  remains  but  an  outlaw  of  the  state; 
Though  late  he  had  the  downright  strength  to 

say: 
"I  wish  the  laws  revised  to  suit  my  way." 
Andlione  dared  long  oppose  this  richest  chief, 
For  fear  of  lost  position,  rags  and  grief. 
And  then  his  treasure    chests    were    much    too 

strong 
E'en  for  the  best  to  fight  against  him  long. 
That  tempting  dollar,  what  can  it  not  do? 
Poor  martyr  of  the  truth  it  laughs  at  you — 
A  hero  now,  forgotten  ere  a  week, 


2i6  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

While  law  unchanged  still  loves  to  hear  it  speak. 
A  great  domed  building  and  of  granite  made, 

With  pillars,   statues,   arches   well   arrayed, 

Is  the  Trusts'  capitol.     And  now  the  foe 

Enters,  prepared  the  torch  and  oil  to  throw. 

In  the  state  chamber,  paved  and  walled  with  gold. 

Is  found  Chief  Scorparon,  the  master  old ; 

Bald  headed,  wrinkled,  seated  on  his  throne, 

Or  pyramid  of  dollars — all  alone. 

Prince  Chevaleers  addressed  him :  ''Scorparon ! 

Your  money  now  is  useless — power  is  gone: 

'Tis  suicide  for  long  to  here  remain. 

Hugging  as  life  this  piled-up  worthless  gain. 

Your  powers  removed,  your  forces  swept  away; 

What  therefore  is  this  gold  but  so  much  clay? 

Even  your  strongest  henchman  traitor  turned, 

The  haughty  Palops,  who  these  riches  earned — 

For  you — by  methods  villainous;  but  spurred 

By  your  own  self  to  sack  the  common  herd. 

Hence  none  can  be  condemned  but  Scorparon; 

Your   luck  has  changed;   forever   wrecked,   be- 
gone !" 
'T  can  not  rise ;  I,  sir,  am  weak  and  old ; 

Wilt  help  me? — ah;  be  careful  of  my  gold! 

So  precious,  what  ?  not  take  it  with  m.e  hence ! 

Please,  sir;  your  troops,  their  shoulders  are  im- 
mense ; 

A  fortune  for  each  one  and  tons  for  thee; 

What  burn  it,  man?  your  mind  must  wandering 
be! 

Burn  gold? — but  let  me  take  a  bag  along; 

A  little  bag;  a  pocket  full,  no  wrong! 

My  gold — my  nation — gold — my  family — ^gold! 

I  love  them— it — I— it— to  slavery  sold  I 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  217 

How  cruel,  O,  so  sad ! — pray  let  me  take 

Just  one  small  piece  for  charity's  sweet  sake!" 

Thus  Scorparon,  by  Chevaleers  led  out, 
Gave  utterance  to  his  soul's  consuming  thought. 
The  prince  him  saw  in  safety  from  the  hall — 
He  tottered  down  the  hill  and  past  the  wall. 
The  forces  work  completed  they  retire 
Beyond  the  city,  now  one  solid  fire. 

Corruption's  state,  a  kind  of  go-between 
Of  every  hell  within  Lust's  borders  seen, 
Which  makes  the  laws  for  them  and  them  de- 
fends, 
Truth's  army  its  vile,  rotten  system  ends. 
They  charge  upon  it,  fire  its  house,  and  fly, 
As  the  flames  shoot  with  others  to  the  sky. 

Thus  Heaven's  Eleven's  task  is  made  complete. 
Most  terrible  the  conflagration's  heat. 
It  sweeps  the  country  round  and  all  the  bay, 
The  Lawful  Pirates'  ships  are  burned  away, 
All  perish  but  the  chief,  who  swims  ashore 
And  hastens  off  beyond  the  seat  of  war. 
The  citizens  and  troops  for  safety  go 
High  on  the  hills  around,  to  look  below: 
At  the  great  city  covering  miles  of  space. 
One    massive    flame    of    Lust's    prolonged    dis- 
grace ; — 
Fast  burning  down  forever  from  the  sight, 
All  greed  and  passion  of  corrupt  delight; 
One     fiery    mountain     shooting     through     the 

skies ; — 
The  city  built  upon  corruption — dies! 


2i8  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 


CANTO  THE  ELEVENTH. 

Now,  while  these  acts  in  City  Lust  are  done, 
Conckiding  not  until  the  set  of  sun, 
Far  to  the  north,  the  snow-bound,  dreary  land 
Is  swept  by  various  states  of  Heaven's  command. 
Clement  himself  as  seen  had  taken  charge 
Upon  the  southern  plains  the  forces  large ; 
Had  Lytheus  sent  all  eastern  hell  to  breast, 
And  others  to  the  mountains  of  the  west. 
And,  when  'twas  necessary  thus  to  break 
His  one  great  army,  four  divisions  make, 
He  despatched  Landamore  of  Progress  forth, 
With  seven  states,  to   fight  the   forces  north. 

These   from  the  plains,  to  cold   from  climate 
hot. 
One   long,   uninterrupted   battle   fought. 
Sometimes  retreating,  sometimes  standing  still, 
Carnal's  command  fights  back  on  field  and  hill. 
Village,  plantation,  river,  lake  and  wood, — 
Through  realms  of  planet  mind  not  yet  reviewed. 
Her  seven  armies  in  this  fierce  affray, 
As  consequence  of  battle  fall  away; 
In  scores  and  legion  dwindling  as  they  back 
Before  the  heavenly  ranks'  prolonged  attack. 
These,  too,  have  losses  but,  considered,  small. 
The  details  now   shall  our  attention  call. 

Anxiety,   the    fear-o'erburdened   kind. 
That  haunts  with  future  great  distress  the  mind, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  215 

Meets  with  disaster  ere  an  hour's  retreat, 
In  a  large  field  enriched  by  ripened  wheat. 

Quaken,  the  chief,  when  his  command  dreM 
near 
The  field,  thus  spake  in  words  disclosing  fear: 
*' Soldiers,  this  conflict  may  continue  long, 
And  starve  us  lest  we  make  provisions  strong, 
Gather  what  breadstuff s  seen  upon  the  way, 
And  carry  forth — our  future  pangs  to  stay. 
This  field  we  have  the  time  to  strip  before 
Our  foes  arrive  and  follow  up  the  war; 
They  yet  have  miles  to  travel,  hence  the  grain 
•Make  haste  and  pick — the  future  to  sustain." 

They  fall  upon  the  wheat  with  greedy  hands. 
Onward  advances  Spirit's  various  bands. 
Some  pass  them  by,  combatting  left  and  right 
Hell's  other  six  divisions  of  the  fight. 
One  of  the  seven  heavenly  forces  though. 
In  quest  of  them,  transforms  the  field  to  woe. 
'Tis  Sacrifice,  whose  chief  Lunbusium  spake, 
Thus  ere  the  charge:  *'Yon  Anxious  forces  take; 
Scatter  them,  they  who  fear  for  future  food, 
And  all  else  that  each  day  has  just  as  good; 
Who  now  when  by  this  vital  war  beset. 
Over    provision    for  the  morrow  fret ; 
Who  should  live  only  now,  the  future  hide, 
As  though  'twould  never  with  their  lot  abide. 
'Tis  sacrifice  that  prospers;  men  of  will 
For  present  tasks  bid  future  fears  be  still; 
Though  seeing  not  a  crust  the  coming  day. 
Unmindful  work  the  stoic  time  away; 
'Tis  sacrifice  that  makes  endurance  sweet. 
To  victory  soars  from  friendless,  dark  defeat." 

Saying,  he  led  his  army  forth  to  fight. 


220  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Anxiety's  command  is  wrapped  in  fright. 
Seeing  his  foes  advancing  not  until 
They  rush  upon  him  from  a  neighboring  hill. 
Quaken  is  powerless ;  his  great  army  flies, 
Or,  offering  weak  resistance,  falls  and  dies. 
The  troops  victorious  when  their  task  was  done, 
To  join  their  fellow  cavalrymen,  move  on. 

And  while  the  troopers  thus  proceed,  a  horse 
Direct  from  Lust  in-rides  to  carnal's  force, 
Bearing  the  news :  the  town  had  met  defeat. 
That  Heaven's  command  to  burn  swarmed  every 

street ; 
That  the  great  lords  of  wealth  abiding  there, 
With    armies    lost,    the    fire    were    doomed    to 

share — 
Unless ; — the  messenger  had  come  for  aid ; 
Spreading  the  news  he  through  the  forces  made. 
All  him  refused  but  one.   The  five  declined, 
As  well  they  should — protecting  their  own  kind : 
The  states,  the  towns,  the  peoples  of  the  north, 
Now  in  great  peril  as  Heaven  battles  forth. 
The  sixth  commander,   Bragdon,  lord  of  Cant, 
Lust's  monarch's  sin-defendmg  sycophant, 
Consents  to  go.   The  five  object;  and  then, 
He  much  chagrined  addresses  thus  his  men: 

"The  city  Lust  is  fallen,  and  its  wealth, 
The  strength  of  hell,  exposed  to  fire  and  stealth! 
What  shall  become  of  us  if  falls  the  Trust! 
Protection  give  its  noble  chief  we  must! 
It  controls  all,  the  bullion  and  the  food ; 
A  system  built  for  honest  people's  good. 
And  think  of  Lust's  promoters,  who  create 
The  glorious  schemes  so  helpful  to  the  state. 
Think  of  them  all,  the  noble  lords  of  Lust, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  221 

And  'twill  be  seen  to  help  them  now  we  must. 
Our  friends  around  forbid  we  leave  the  fight, 
But  know  they  not  in  this  case  wrong  from  right. 
'Tis  selfishness  compels  this  dense  decree ; 
Beyond  their  small  estates  they  can  not  see. 
Now  that  we  beat  retreat  before  the  foe, 
Tis  guard  their  own  and  let  the  planet  go. 
But  remains  still  the  wealth  that  keeps  alive 
These  selfish,  sore,  unpatriotic  five. 
Which  must  be  well  defended,  else  its  fall 
Means  the  complete  destruction  of  us  all. 
Hence,  men,  obey  them  not ;  to  save  the  land 
We  now  withdraw  and  hasten  to  the  strand!" 

Saying,  he  turns  his  forces  to  the  side; 
They  through  the    shower    of    nether  weapons 

ride, 
And  Lustward  wend  their    way.    But    Heaven 

aware. 
Pursues,  o'ertakes  and  wrecks  beyond  repair. 
And  they  who  stopped  this  journey  t'ward  the 

strand 
Were  State  Humility's  well-horsed  command. 

Seeing  commotion  in  the  carnal  lines 
And  the  wild  dash,  the  chief  the  cause  divines, 
And   speaks— Prince    Zena    speaks:   ''Revolting 

Cant 
Still  at  this  hour  remains  the  sycophant; 
Has  word  received  his  darling  hero's  town 
Has  fall'n,  and  all  shall  soon  be  trodden  down. 
Is  that  wild  dash  to  save  the  city  Lust? 
Has  it  in  view  an  object  nobly  just? 
Is  it  for  truth,  his  nation,  both,  or  which? 
Or  simply  to  protect  his  friends  the  rich? 
Of  these  'tis  none.     'Tis  Bragdon  all  the  while, 


222  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Whining  pretender  with  the  winning  smile. 
And  now  that  his  rich  masters  are  undone, 
To  reach  the  city  why  such  peril  run? 
Can  aught  be  gained  ?    One  little  horseman  band 
Against  the  Brave  Eleven's  foot  command ; 
A  million  men  with  Lust  beneath  their  feet, 
What  stratagem  can  such  an  army  cheat? 
None,  surely  none,  His  object  is  to  gain 
The  confidence  of  Heaven — who  wields  the  rein; 
Turn  traitor  to  the  lords  he  long  obeyed, — 
Now  that  they  victims  are  of  Lytheus'  raid; 
Pillage  and  kill  them  where  they  quaking  stand, 
For  vilest  clutch  exchange  the  humble  hand. 
There  rests  the  difference  'twixt  his   state  and 

ours : 
Humility  no  sing-song  homage  showers; 
No  sham  at  littleness,  no  fawning  sigh. 
Nor  jabbering  tongue  nor  grinning  mouth  and 

eye; 
But  that  exquisite  virtue,  knowing  good, 
And  loving  it  in  preference  to  the  lewd; 
Ready  to  talk  when  asked,  but  pleased  to  hear; 
Keeping  one's  self  a  little  in  the  rear. 
Never  o'errating  things  of  any  kind, 
And  above  all,  the  work  of  one's  own  mind; 
Nor  underdoing  it,  for  both  are  bad. 
Are  like  extremes  and  kindred  to  the  cad. 
But  happy  he,  the  man  of  natural  turn. 
Who  does  great  things  and  still  has  much  to 

learn ; 
Who  listens,  whether  wealth  or  misery  speak, 
Honors  the  good,  corrects  and  cheers  the  weak; 
Is  pleased  to  help  a  brother  up  the  hill, 
Knows  his  own  greatness  but  is  humble  still ; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  223 

Forgets  himself  when  sorrowing  souls  are  found. 
To  leave  them  not  till  sunshine  heals  the  wound." 

This  he  said  low  and  then  resumed  aloud : 
*'See,  Bragdon  now  escapes  the  carnal  crowd ! 
The  time  is  ripe  his  canting  state  to  break — 
For  Lust  he  travels — come — him  overtake!" 

Then  followed  by  his  army  forth  he  rides, 
Down  a  long  hill,  attacks  on  all  its  sides 
The  foeman's  ranks — disaster  closes  round! — 
And  hurries  on  to  join  the  six  beyond. 

Mile  after  mile  the  Seven  ride  along, 
Hard-pressing     northward      hell's      decreasing 

throng. 
The  sunny  land  is  passed  to  snow  and  ice, 
Toward  the  state  of  autocratic  vice. 
To  check  the  blasts  and  fast  increasing  cold, 
The  troopers  in  thick  clothes  their  bodies  fold. 
Their  chargers  slip  afoot  the  frozen  land, 
Still  onward  moves  the    dauntless    horse    com- 
mand; 
Less  rapid  but  as  vigorous  as  in  heat ; 
'Tis  now  a  skirmish,  then  a  long  retreat, 
A  dash,  a  break,  a  charge,  a  halt  and  then. 
With  naught  of  interest,  onward  north  again. 
At  length,  a  village  looms  amidst  the  snow, 
And  Judging's  forces  t'ward  its  limits  go. 
'Tis  their  abode.    They  reach  the  town  before 
Heaven  has  the  time  to  meet  and  offer  war. 

Chief  Bonarue  his  townsmen  thus  addressed 
(When  they  had  gathered)  :  **Now  your  courage 

test! 
All  are  in  arms ;  'tis  good ;  the  time  is  here 
When  we  must  perish  in  a  fight  severe ; 
But  make  it  costly.    Better  die  than  whine. 


224  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Or  yield  one  atom  to  the  Spirit  swine. 

To  think  that  they  pretend  to  goodness — they! 

An  Empire  rotten  in  its  every  way ; 

In  poHtics,  rehgion,  social  plan, 

They  rob,  imprison,  kill  the  humble  man — " 

"Judge  not  lest  ye  be  judged!''  Chief  Bandal 
roars, 
As  Judgment,  his  command,  now  inward  pours, 
Fills  all  the  streets,    surrounds    and    takes    the 

town. 
Compels  the  Judgers  lay  their  weapons  down; 
This  ere  they  had  the  time  to  draw  a  bow. 
Before  one  drop  could  stain  the  virgin  snow. 

"And  Bonarue,"  Chief  Bandal  thus  addrest, 
**You  Heaven  have  judged  by  those  these  realms 

infest: 
Anarchy,  pessimism  and  the  like. 
Have  taught    you  with    your    speech    all  virtue 

strike ; 
Also  to  laud  a  rascal  to  the  skies, 
Imagine  things  and  call  them  truths  or  lies; 
Conclude  corruption  rules  the  heavenly  State; — 
And  learn  not  different  till  it  is  too  late. 
Now,  while  you  thus  condemned  the  Spirit  Mind, 
My  state  of  judgment  your  downfall  designed; 
Surprised  and  overpowered.     You  now  are  paid 
For  the  vile  falsehood  on  my  country  laid. 
Judgment  is  Truth,  is  finding  out  the  best ; 
Not  gossip  in  new  language  daily  drest; 
Nor  fancy  bred    by  creatures  envy-mad, 
Who  term  their  class  as  good,  all  others  bad ; 
"Judge  not  lest  ye  be  judged"  they  think  not  of, 
Receive  no  pleasure  for  they  give  no  love; 
Suffer  their  own  deserts,  their  judgings  meet^ 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  225 

Themselves  and  others  of  Hfe's  blessings  cheat. 
And  now,  sir  chief,  your  deeds  at  leisure  tell ; 
What  you  sent  out  returns  to  smite.    Farewell." 

Taking  the  Judgers'  weapons  Heaven's  com- 
mand 
Moves    northward    as    that    people    wondering 
stand. 

In  carnal's  ranks  commotion  starts  again, 
An  outburst  of  the  Pessimistic  men. 
Throughout  the  war  they  had  been  grumbling, 

now 
These  condemnations  climax  in  a  row. 

Chief  Janaquil  of  Pessimism  is  heard: 
"Of  all  things  else  this  war  is  most  absurd! 
Why  should  we  fight? — what  object  is  in  view? 
Or  win,  or  lose,  do  we  gain  aught  when  through? 
Suppose  'twere  Carnal  Had  the  best  of  it. 
Would  our  conditions  rise? — no,  not  a  bit! 
Suppose  'twere  Heaven  retreating,  not  our  horse, 
We  would  but  move  by  will — and  not  by  force. 
Heaven  drives  us  back ;  we  do  not  wish  to  go, 
But  that  amounts  to  nothing  with  our  foe ; 
We  still  retreat,  as  arrows  plough  the  wynd; 
We  fall,  we  perish  and  are  left  behind. 
Wolves  come  with  Death,  and  fight  each  other 

for 
Our  choicest  meats,  and  most  refreshing  gore: — 
And  what  of  it?   We  feel  them  not;  and  why 
Should  people  o'er  this  human  body  cry? 
A  shrub  expires,  and  is  no  deader  than 
This  disappointment  commonly  called  man. 
■Man — ha ! — three  letters  ;  easy  word  to  spell ; 
Takes  five  for  snake — on  paper  looks  as  well. 
And  this  command,  this  rag-end  of  the  war, 


226  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

What  in  the  name  of  god  we  fighting  for? 
Or  rather,  why  retreat?  or  rather,  why 
Postpone  our  execution — all  must  die. 
Like  a  mad  pack  of  hounds  without  a  trail, 
Most  loud  of  bark,  we  northward,  nowhere  sail. 
But  why  with  them  remain?    why  Spirit  fight? 
Why  not  consider  self  and  take  to  fight? 
Leave  Heaven  and  hell  to  battle  to  the  fists, 
And  live  till  death  in  peace — if  such  exists? 
To  hell  we  nothing  owe;  our  life  is  ours; 
Come,    men,    'tis    time    to    quit    these    carnal 
powers!" 

They  then  rebel;  an  ugly  fight  to  death; 
It  ended  leaves  no  pessimist  with  breath. 
They  try  to  break  when  Beria,  general  chief, 
Of  State  Autocracy,  gives  battle  brief. 
(Seeing  his  ranks  deserting  him,  enraged 
He  vowed  that  hence  would  be  harsh  methods 

waged — 
Should  any  traitor  turn.     That  time  is  here.) 
He  first  surrounds,  then  charges  in  with  spear; 
Then  with  their  swords  his  three  commands  com- 
plete 
Their  task  and  leave  the  snow  a  bloody  sheet, 
And  with  all  haste  upon  their  way  proceed, 
Forth  to  the  land  of  Autocratic  greed. 

When  hell  to  fight  itself  thus  checked  the  rein, 
Lleaven's  command  halts  idle  on  the  plain. 
They   rest  their   steeds;   dismounting,   stand  or 

walk, 
Observe  the  fight  and  with  each  other  talk. 

Pacia,  the  chief  of  Optimism,  addressed 
A  fellow  chief:  "That  battle  could  be  guessed; 
Long  since  'twas  seen  within  the  mental  eye 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  22^ 

That  Pessimism  at  hell's  own  hands  would  die. 

Was  ever  discontent  allowed  to  thrive, 

Give  out  his  gloomy  thoughts  and  keep  alive? 

To  look  on  things  as  always  for  the  worst, 

Make  folk  erst  happy  by  his  tongue  accurst, 

Bring  misery  to  himself  a  hundred- fold, 

And  damn  the  race  because  his  peace  is  sold ; 

Curse  those  who  prosper,  conjure  blackest  lies, 

Because  he  is  himself  too  weak  to  rise ; 

Too  poisoned  by  his  thoughts  to  see  the  sun, 

Although  it  shine  alike  for  everyone; — 

That  wretch  is  doomed,  must  ever  famine  chase. 

And  die  without  a  tear  to  bathe  the  face. 

Sweet  thoughts  as  honey  sweeten  every  tongue ; 

To  hearts  repentant  or  by  sorrow  wrung, 

These  modest  angel  lyrics  softly  creep. 

And  lull  the  sob  to  dreamless  lasting  sleep. 

Sweet  thoughts,  the  music  strung  in  every  soul. 

So  simple  yet  of  life  the  verdant  whole. 

So  beautiful  the  song  we  love  to  hear, 

That  cheers  the  heart  or  prompts  the  holy  tear, 

To  man's  endeavor  welds  the  welcome  crown, 

Lifts  high  his  cross  and  brings  a  blessing  down." 

Thus  Pacia  spoke.    And  mounted  soon  again. 
Onward  in  haste  advance  the  Spirit  men : 
Knowing  that  Beria's  last  inspiring  thought 
Was  reach  his  city  though  with  peril  fraught 
Prince  Landamore  to  thwart  all  useless  fray 
Sends  half  his  troops  around  to  block  the  way, 
Capture  the  town,  while  he  pursues  direct, 
To  check,  harass — and  spoil  this  last  project. 

The  boundary  line  of  Beria's  state  is  passed; 
Onward  the  two  divisions  travel  fast; 
Heaven  harassing  every  now  and  then, 


228  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

To  bring  delay  to  hell's  excited  men: 
Autocracy,  the  state  of  bad  report, 
Without  a  senate  and  without  a  court; 
\Vithout  a  people,  though  a  countless  race. 
Oppressed,  enslaved  and  knocked  from  place  to 

place ; 
Both  soul  and  body  chattels  of  a  brute, 
A  god  on  earth  and  monarch  absolute. 

The  prince  of  Loyalty  the  rampart  flanks 
('Twas  he    who    swung    around    Chief  Beria's 

ranks), 
With  weak  resistance  from  the  troops  in  charge, 
Enters  the  city,  takes  the  palace  large, 
Dispatches  guards  throughout — and  then  awaits 
The  coming  of  the  various  battling  states. 

They  soon  arrive.     Chief  Beria,  nearly  crazed 
At     Heaven's     command     before    the    rampart, 

gazed : 
''Mine  God!"  exclaimed,  ''Autocracy's  defeat! 
Its  last  hope    gone    through    Progress'    crafty 

cheat ! 
He  kept  us  back — his  second  sent  ahead — 
Mine  God — Autocracy  forever  dead ! 
Our  empire  in  revolt  for  many  a  year, 
Will  now  me  gut  and  brandish  on  the  spear! 
Defeated,  no !   That  can  not  be — We  still 
Have  our  command  and  shall  the  nation  kill, 
Before  we  yield;  'tis  ours  to  rule  not  bow — 
This  is  our  right  divine  and  that  our  vow !" 

Inside  the  city  now  is  heard  to  rise. 
From  a  big  mass  of  labor,  plaintive  cries. 
Down  the  main  street  toward  the  rampart's  gate 
The  people  come,  upon  their  czar  to  wait. 
Their  mission  told  the  guard,  they  pass  without^ 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  229 

Before  Lord  Beria  bow  in  prayer  devout: 
To  praise  the  little  father,  their  great  chief, 
In  hope  to  gain  from  famine  just  rehef ; 
Ask  him  to  heed  their  wretchedness,  and  give 
Enough  for  work  that  they  might  better  Hve; 
In  peace  had  come,  as  subjects  crushed  but  loyal, 
To  little  father,  friend  to  those  who  toil. 
One  held  his  picture  draped  in  flags ;  above 
Was  writ :  a  token  of  thine  people's  love. 
Men,  boys  and  girls  their  feelings  manifest, 
And  women,  too,  with  babies  at  the  breast; 
In  rags,  with  faces  marked  by  pain  severe, 
A  sight  for  pity,  picturesque,  sincere. 

Without  a  word  in  answer  to  the  prayer. 
Lord  Beria  bids  his  javelins  forth  repair; 
Then  with  a  scornful    shout    commands    them, 

"fire!" 
The  peaceful  people  in  one  breath  expire; 
The  children,  men,  and  women  with  their  young. 
Upon  the  snow  in  one  long  column  strung. 

But  that  meant  more  than   taking  this  poor 
breath ; 
'Twas  of  Autocracy  the  warrant — death! 
She  fought  on  distant  soil  unto  defeat, 
To  return  home  and  her  destruction  meet; 
Not  by  the  foe  who  now  her  troops  surrounds. 
But  by  the  people  born  within  her  bounds ; 
Her  very  flesh  and  blood.  Chief  Hebron's  state — 
Anarchy,  which  till  then  had  been  her  mate ; 
Loyal,  beside  her  fought  from  south  to  north; — 
But  now  that  chief  enraged  thus  thunders  forth: 

"Enough !  enough !  Autocracy  must  fall — 
This  crimson  snow  shall  likewise  be  her  pall! 
Long  used  to  bloody.  I  can  not  stand  this  scenc^ 


230  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Anarchy's  vilest  act  was  ne'er  so  mean! 
We  stab,  we  murder,  but  behold!  behold! 
No  coward's  act  was  ever  yet  so  cold — 
So  heinous,  low !  These  folk  in  murder  laid 
Because  they  came  in  peace  and  asked  for  aid. 
When  peace  unanswered  begs,  is  treated  so, 
What  else  remains  for  those  of  station  low? — 
Anarchy !  Anarchy  I  forward  every  man  ; 
What  love  with  tyrants  can  not — murder  can!" 

With  fury  then  they  dash  abreast  her  ranks, 
Who  fall  and  pile  upon  the  snow  in  banks. 
Steeds  rear  and  charge,  the  victims  bodies  crush  ; 
And  then  the  sword  their  frightful  noises  hush. 
Chief  Hebron  fights  his  way  to  Beria's  side, 
Draws  forth  his  dagger  (flows  a  crimson  tide!) 
It  carves  the  monarch's    heart    with    surgeon's 

skill, 
In  through  the  ribs  and  round  that  member  still. 
He  claws  it  out  and  holds  above  his  head. 
Rides  round  the  field  and  squeezes  forth  the  red. 
Fast  fall  the  drops,  to  scatter  o'er  the  snow, 
As  his  command  to  death  sends  every  foe — 
All  those  opposed  to  him  in  this  affray. 
The  last  command  (save  one).  Autocracy. 
This  battle  finished  Hebron  orders  then 
(By  victory  spurred)  :  ''Attack  the  Spirit  men!" 
One  against  seven  yet  they  straight  obey; 
But  woe  to  them,  as  snow  they  melt  away. 
Though  close  surrounded,    all    till    slaughtered 

stand ; 
All  but  the  chief,  who  dies  by  his  own  hand. 
He    shrieks,  "  Tis    over !"    waves    the    tyrant's 

heart, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  231 

G>ncludes,   "Two   reptiles    from    this    life    de- 
part!"— 
And    kills     himself:    falls    trembling     to      the 

ground, 
Clutching  his  treasure  in  a  clutch  profound! 

Baltmore  of  Loyalty  observing  said: 
"The  last  political  corrupt — is  dead. 
'Tis  done  and  well ;  red  Hebron  is  no  more, 
To  murder  rulers  as  in  days  of  yore; 
But  ere  he  died  one  deed  was   fairly  done. 
He  proved  himself  Autocracy's  true  son: 
She  bore  and  nursed  and  bred  him  to  his  lot, 
And  then  on  her  he  practised  what  she  taught; 
A  better  son  a  mother  never  had ; — 
As  parents  sow  they  reap,  or  good  or  bad. 
A  nation  must  be  pure  to  breed  loyal  sons. 
The  brave  man  never  from  his  family  runs 
When  trouble  knocks  or  batters  down  the  door, 
Bu"^  stays  to  bear  it  out  thence  evermore ; 
Because  what  there  abides  is  love  so  dear 
No  harm  can  enter  lest  across  his  bier. 
Likewise  the  nation  built  on  justice  stands. 
Secure  from  greed  and  arms  of  foreign  lands, 
So  long  as  her    brave    sons    have    strength    to 

fight;— 
When  love  is  staked  there  are  no  flags  of  white." 

Now,  in  the  fray  the  last  of  carnal's  seven 
Makes  her  escape  beyond  the  troops  of  Heaven; 
A  sorry  lot,  both  man  and  beast,  are  these. 
And  gathered  from  all  hell — the  state  Disease; 
But  not  so  much  an  evil  as  effect, 
Brought  on  by  vice,  bad  thinking  and  neglect ; — 
Sometimes  through  self  and  sometimes  through 
a  foe. 


232  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Bad  thoughts  are  harbingers  of  torturous  woe. 

Now,  almost  dead  from  late  exertion's  heat, 
This  army  makes  a  westward  slow  retreat. 
And  Health  is  sent  to  watch  them  with  all  pains, 
To    keep    them    back    from    carnal' s     southern 

plains ; — 
Where  the  great  fight  decisive  of  the  war, 
Between  the  generals,  floods  the  plains  with  gore. 

Chief   Carnademus,    when    some    miles    pro- 
gressed 
Had  his  ill  forces,  them  these  words  addressed: 
''Companions  of  disease,  our  life  is  short, 
Driven  from  city,  country,  hut  and  court ; 
To  wander  without  home,  and  nearly  dead. 
With  comforts  none,  nor  succor,  food  nor  bed. 
From  deserts  parched  to  this  embittered  place. 
From  this  to  where?  O  hapless,  friendless  race! 
O  whither  now?   Defeat  on  every  side. 
Our  horses  staggering  as  we  feathers  ride. 
Autocracy,  the  City  Lust  and  all 
Have  fall'n,  but  where,  O  where  our  bless-ed 

pall! 
But  look!  o'er  yonder  vigorous  Health  pursues; 
Thinkest  thou  we  from  battle  aught  could  lose? 
Ha,  ha!  proud  health,  hast  come  to  strike  and 

kill? 
H  so  thou  takest  but  our  best  of  will. 
Lay  to  thy  sword,  the  sooner  suits  us  well, 
To  join  sweet  Death,  now  greatest  state  in  hell." 

But  Health  disturbs  them  not.  A  mile  of  space 
Divides  her  from  this  fast-declining  race; 
Exhausted,  dwindling  as  they  struggle  on, 
Till  the  last  shaking  sufferer  is  gone; 
From  wrecked  Autocracy   for  miles  and  miles 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  233 

To  westward  stretched  along  in  ghastly  piles. 
Disease  is  dead,  itself  had  worn  out 
Pursuing  and  embracing  loveless  thought. 

As  he  repairs  unto  the  southern  plains, 
Prince    Vigatho,    the    chief    of    Health,    these 

strains : 
^'Beautiful  blessing  to  be  good,  and  know 
Nor  thoughts  injurious  nor  enslaving  woe; 
Exqrisite   peace   within,   whate'er   is    seen. 
To  have  a  cheery  word  and  heart  serene; 
A  love  that  keepeth  well  and  healeth  all, 
Restores  to  peace  and  hastens  evil's  fall. 
Disease  keeps  at  a  distance  till  destroyed, 
And  moves  in  realms  eternal,  unalloyed; 
Lovely  like  scenic  Nature  in  the  Spring, 
When  all  things  happy  dress  their  best,  and  sing; 
Lift  up  their  thankful  heads  of  various  hue, 
Embrace  the  sun,  to  Winter  wave  adieu, 
Salute  the  winds,  in  rapture  look  above. 
And  know  that  nothing  is  so  sweet  as  Love." 

When  the  destruction  at  the  walls  was  o'er 
Love's  forces  start  toward  the  seat  of  war. 
Join  Health   en  route;  their  task   accomplished 

well, 
Slow-travel  merry  through  the  conquered  hell; 
Upon  the  plains  one  great  long  figure  cast. 
Their  forms  loom  in  the  sunlight  fading  fast. 

Prince  Landamore,  the  general  of  the  Seven, 
Of  Progress  chief,  these  words :  "  'Tis  well  for 

Heaven, 
For  Love,  that  great  Autocracy  no  more 
Remains  to  rule,  a  dagger  to  the  poor. 
The  time  of  despotism,  thank  God,  is  past, 
A  new  and  glorious  peace  approaches  fast: 


234  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

No  wars  of  nations,  common  for  one  end, 

An  universal  love  the  whole  shall  blend. 

To-day  has  Heaven  decreed  that  hell  should  fall, 

And  now  the  sun  is  sinking  o'er  her  pall. 

Heaven  said:  "Thou  hast  gone  far  enough,  be- 
ware. 

Hell  heard  her  not ;  the  sequel  now  is  bare. 

A  better  war  than  this  was  never  done; 

Sin  would  encroach,  and  has  her  wages  won. 

The  western  sky  bids  farewell  to  the  day, 

And  we  to  hell  our  lasting  tributes  pay." 
The  dusk  is  now  upon  them,  as  they  pass 

Far  from  the  snow  to  cultivated  grass. 

What  in  the  twilight  grewsome  to  behold! 

That  great  black  spectre  gathering  in  its  fold; 

With  champing  panthers  bathed  in  red,  around. 

Bawling  and  quarreling  o'er  the  treasure  found ! 

'Tis  Death's  command  now  numbering  nigh  all 
hell, 

Who  this  day,  bloodiest  in  her  history,  fell. 

The    shades    are    moving    northward    gathering 
moss 

From  the  remains  of  autocratic  loss. 

Chief  Helomed  is  speaking:  "Brothers,  know 

Me  soon  sole  monarch  of  the  realms  below — 

H  this  keeps  up.    Rebel  would  carnal  mind, 

And  has  herself  to  shades  of  Death  assigned. 

By  her  election  I  have  soared  in  rank. 

Therefore  to  her  alone  is  due  my  thank. 

To     Spirit? — No.     That     State    has    giv'n    me 
nought ; — 

Death  is  to  her  as  Life  to  carnal  thought. 

It  cannot  stand,  for  nothing  there  can  end ; —  . 

A  pure  mind  is  an  ever  constant  friend; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  235 

A  staff  that  never  fails  of  its  support, 
Secure  in  life,  against  all  death  a  fort." 

The  panthers  fight  removing  flesh  from  bones 
(One     victim     scarcely     dead,     half-conscious, 

groans). 
The  grewsome  army  slowly  wends  to  north, 
As  Helomed  the  shades  delivers  forth. 

Prince  Justin,  who  had  made  a  hasty  sweep 
To  Beria's  state,  to  raise  the  troops  from  sleep 
(They  who  had  fall'n  from  Landamore's  com- 
mand). 
Returning  south  confronts  the  grewsome  band. 
Over  the  plains  now  buried  in  the  night 
He  thundered  down  without  a  star  to  light, 
Saw  not  the  mystic  mountain  of  the  dead, 
Till  his  command  had — crash !  against  it  sped. 
But  Life  is  quick.   No  danger  is  too  great 
To  force  her  for  a  moment  hesitate. 
The  most  advanced  command  in  Spirit  Mind, 
Long  used  to  conflict  with  the  carnal  kind. 
And  most  of  all  with  Death,  her  ancient  foe, 
She  plunges  midst  the  ranks  of  perished  woe. 
Death  makes  resistances,  battle-axes  play, 
The  sword  and  lance, — a  desperate,  quick  affray ; 
The  final  clash  betwixt  these  great  extremes. 
'Tis  Life  and  Death,  and  each  one  equal  seems. 
Life  all  surrounded  has  the  hardest  fight. 
But  remains  cool  and  holds  her  courage  tight; 
Not  one  suspicion  of  it  leaves  her  hand. 
Before  her  powerful  troopers  none  can  stand. 
Death,  like  a  sea  surrounds  a  little  isle. 
Dashes  her  waves  against  the  rocky  pile. 
That  awful  battle-axe,  which  drives  them  back; 
They  fall  unnumbered  on  the  plains,  and  stack. 


•22^6  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Soon  one  great  column  on  each  side  of  Life, 
Tells  but  one  story,  she  had  won  the  strife ; 
From  north  to  south  had  fought  a  passage  clear. 
She  now  is  gone  without  a  scratch  or  tear. 

On  through  the  night  of  blackness  most  pro- 
found 
Her  coursers  thunder  o'er  the  conquered  ground. 
Overtake  Landamore's  returning  Seven, 
And  later  on  Prince  Lytheus'  Brave  Eleven — 
These  marching  slowly  from  the  metropole, 
Whose  flames  e'en  here  are  seen  to  heavenward 

role. 
And,  Lytheus  overtaken,  most  humane 
The  Sev'n  and  Life  extend  to  him  the  rein: 
That  the  great  heavy  infantry  could  rest, 
The  miles  remaining  of  the  journey  west. 

Then  through  the  night  they  pass.     And  we 
proceed 
To  where  is  done  the  last  remaining  deed: 
That  of  this  day's  encounter  'twixt  the  two 
Opposing  minds,  the  carnal  and  the  True; 
The  last  forever,  for  all  time  the  last. 
That  draws  the  curtain  o'er  this  bloody  past. 

"Command  your  strength !  no  portion  can  be 
spent 
In  arguments  or  acts  of  discontent. 
With  Lust  in  ashes,  Beria's  state  no  more,' 
On  us  repose  all  burdens  of  the  war. 
No  state  to  call  upon  for  help,  we  stand 
Alone  the  fighting  force  of  hell's  command. 
'Tis  serious,  men !  And  now  our  phalanx  gone 
His  personal  strength  must  each  depend  upon. 
We  must  do  something  quick,  if  we  remain 
Alive  afoot  this  death-swept  battle  plain; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  237 

It  is  a  dash,  a  plunge  composed  of  all, 
Else  ne'er  to  rise  we  shall  defeated  fall. 
At  present  we  have  only  three  to  fight — 
Love,  Strength,  Stability — but  with  the  night 
Now  dark  upon  us,  and  the  Brave  Eleven, 
The  mountain  forces  and  the  northern  Seven, 
Full  soon  to  re-enforce  Chief  Clement  here, 
We  must  attempt  a  charge,  else  drop  the  spear. 
We  now  can  nothing  gain  but  mortal  breath. 
Heaven     is     triumphant — charge!     'tis     life    or 

death !" 
Thus  Mideon  spoke,  to  rally  his  command. 
To  the  last  fight  against  the  Spirit  Land; — 
Then  at  the  front  of  carnal's  shattered  clan — 
A  face  all  trouble  and  a  form  all  man. 
Strong,  tall,  erect,  with  powerful  muscles  red, 
With  neither  horse  nor  helmet — forward  led. 
With  all  the  youthful  dare  and  power  of  old, 
When  he  the  whole  of  carnal  strength  controlled; 
With   trusty   sword   and    shield   all   nicked   and 

bent, 
The  fearless  Mideon  into  battle  went. 
Surrounded  by  superior  numbers  but, 
Quick  as  a  flash,  he  half-way  through  them  cut — 
Inflicted  awful  punishment,  and  then — 
Is  overpowered  by  Clement's  righteous  men. 
He  struggles  to  the  last  in  hope  to  gain 
By  some  force  unforseen  the  open  plain; 
To  flank  his  foe,  to  keep  alive  the  spark. 
The  carnal  remnant — but  her  day  was  dark; 
Her  sun  had  set,  and  look !  her  chieftain  falls ! 
Clement,  just  Clement,  back  his  army  calls: 
"Hold,  chiefs — no  more — withdraw  thy  men  a 
space ! 


238  ^  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

'Tis  Mideon  falls — the  bravest  of  his  race! 

A  man  who  knew  not  once  the  breath  of  fear; 

Such  men  I  honor  and  this  man  revere!" 

Then    bathed    in    blood,    his    breast    pierced 
through  and  through, 
Chief  Mideon   from  its  wound  the  lance  with- 
drew ; 
And  struggling  to  his  feet,  with  drooping  head. 
With  staggering  step,  approached  his   foe,  and 

said : 
"  'Tis  finished  well,  brave  Clement ;  this  and  mine 
(Offers  his  sword)   are  nobly  won — are  thine;" 
Then  (as  the  victor  touched  it)  failed  of  breath, 
Fell  to  the  ground  and  closed  his  eyes  in  death. 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  239 


CANTO  THE  TWELFTH. 

At  Castle  Excess,  in  the  groves  around, 
Of  sweet  enchantment  and  bewitching  sound, 
Nocturnal  wonders,  drooping  trees  and  flowers, 
Amidst  dark  shadows  of  the  sombre  towers, 
Upon  a  bed  of  velvet  grasses  rest 
The  beauteous  two,  Boncella  and  her  guest ; 
In  close  embrace  their  various  perfect  charms, 
With  faces  pressed,  asleep  in  Nature's  arms. 
The  lovely  darkness  of  Boncella's  skin 
Her  rich  long  raven  hair  half-closes  in ; 
Falls  o'er  her  shapely  shoulder,  arm  and  breast. 
And  equal  beauties  of  her  sovereign  guest: 
Sweet  Cassia,  heavenly  princess,  rosy  fair, 
With  blue  eyes  closed  and  dark  brown  wealth  of 

hair, 
Artistic  clasped  around  her  brow  of  pearl, 
To  fall  in  waves  fond  Nature  made  to  curl. 
A  night-bird  cradled  in  the  leaves  above, 
Observing,  sings,  can  only  sing  of  love: 
'*A  poet  feasts  upon  the  breath  of  Night, 
And  kisses  her  red  cheek  and  brow  of  white; 
And  on  her  bosom,  pillow  downy  soft, 
Nestles  deep  down  to  soar  in  dreams  aloft. 
Dreams  all  divine  of  everything  below, 
The  children  of  the  Night  who  love  her  so! 
The  Night  of  beauty,  cradle  of  the  dove. 
The  silent  friend  of  solitude  and  love. 


240  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  sylvan  Night  arrayed  in  sweet  romance, 
When  fairy  dreams  for  dreamy  lovers  dance, 
Float  all  around,  the  scenery  and  the  air, 
Embosom  each  embrace  with   softest  care. 
Flutter  the  being  through  each  lingering  kiss, 
The  bosom  fill  with  myriad  forms  of  bliss; 
Its  rise  and  fall,  the  pressure's  quickening  beat, 
Affection's  soft  exchange  of  feeling  sweet: 
The  poetry  of  Lx)ve  divinely  heard, 
Though  written  not  or  spoken  not  a  word. 
Of  Love  the  charming  Muses  are  a  part, 
Her  soft  enchantment  wins  on  every  heart; 
Makes  of  them  all  who  wander  to  her  shrine 
Sweet  thinking  poets,  kindred  to  the  Nine : 
Unwritten,  silent,  past  production's  power. 
Deep,  deep  within  the  heart's  most  inner  bower; 
Too  difficult  for  realms  of  metered  laws. 
From  instinct  born  as  woman's  just  "because" — 
Who  cannot  utter  what  she  feels  so  strong; 
And  Love's  sweet  poets  are  too  deep  for  song. 

"And  now  the  dreamer  on  the  breast  of  Night, 
By  her  caressed  with  little  hands  so  white. 
Turns  on  her  bosom's  lulling  fall  and  rise. 
And  on  the  sleepers  rests  his  startled  eyes. 
The  dark  Boncella  close  to  Cassia  fair. 
Bathed  in  sweet  perfume  of  nocturnal  air. 
With  just  one  tiny  ray  their  heads  around, 
A  halo,   gift  of  yonder   star  profound. 

"What  in  these  beauteous  faces,  poet  mine? 
Who  knowest  all  of  Nature's  poem,  define. 
What  dost  thou  see  ?  A  noble  soul  and  sad. 
Late  clothed  in  many  sins — but  never  bad ; 
For  God  has  not  condemned  his  wandering  dove, 
His  fallen  angel  of  mistaken  love, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  24T 

A  love  so  great  it  soared  beyond  her  kind, 
Lay  hidden,  undiscovered  in  the  mind. 
Until  he  came,  a  man  in  all  his  power. 
And  made  her  gentle,  modest  as  a  flower: 
When  woe  pursued,  as  woe  will  always  do. 
And  from  her  heart  sin's  painful  payment  drew. 
Sad  features  stained  by  tears  and  former  vice, 
Disclosing  thoughts  of  noblest  sacrifice. 
The  brave  Boncella  close  in  Cassia's  arms, 
In  troubled  dreams  of  battle's  wild  alarms, 
Of  one's  last  struggle  at  his  army's  head, 
A  foe  superior  and  a  warrior  dead. 

*'And  Cassia,  fond  Devotion's  lovely  maid, 
By  her  companion  to  these  realms  betrayed; 
Forgiving  ever,  pure  without  a  past. 
Full  natural  in  a  love  supremely  cast; 
A  love  so  perfect  as  all  hearts  to  win. 
Steal  on  the  soul  unknown  and  banish  sin, 
Lift  up  her  sister  in  a  full  embrace;— 
A  poem  divine  is  read  in  that  fair  face." 

Thus  seemed  to  sing  the  dreamy  nightingale. 
Perched  on  his  throne  amidst  the  moonlight  pale; 
Xow  silent  as  Boncella  starts  awake, 
As  myriad  moonbeams  on  her  brown  eyes  break. 

''Sweet  Cassia,    hark!    (Her    blue  eyes    open 
wide ) 
I  from  a  dream  have  wakened  to  confide, 
Find  comfort  in  an  ever  constant  love, 
In  Cassia,  my  fair  angel  from  above. 
An  awful  dream !  I  fear  me  yet  'tis  true : 
Heaven  has  conquered,  this  sad  war  is  through ; 
Sad,  sad,  because — because  his  life  has  sped, 
His,  Cassia,  his!— Chief  Mideon,  he— is  dead." 

A  crimson  flashed  o'er  Cassia's  face  and  breast, 


242  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

A  sorrow  nobly  born  made  manifest, 

A  tear  from  each  blue  eye  stood  wondering  still ; 

And  then  she  spake,  high  mistress  of  her  will: 

"Hush,    sweet; — he    rescued    me    from   ruin's 
clutch ; 
Ix)ve  shall  repay  in  full — and  that  is  much. 
Come,  let  us  walk ;  the  moonlight  is  most  grand 
The  soft  air  is  as  music  ;  sweet,  my  hand." 

They  tin-ough  the  wood  slow-traveling  wend 
their  way. 
As  Cassia's  lips  enhallowed  thoughts  convey. 
And  through  the  sombre  forest,  faintly  seen, 
A  strange  procession  marches  up  the  green. 
Lord  Festus  heads  it — sad  of  face  and  white. 
And  silent  all  who  journey  through  the  night; 
Who  nearer  come.     The  ladies  step  aside. 
A  chariot  rolls,  a  shroud  its  contents  hide. 
Four  stately  steeds  majestic  walk  and  slow. 
Seem  with  wet  eyes  the  warriors'  grief  to  know; 
As  these,  in  columns  formed  around  the  bier, 
Unto  their  hero  pay  the  sacred  tear. 
A  man  who  did  his  best  his  cause  to  save. 
They  loved  him  all,    for    brave    men    love    the 

brave ; — 
Brave  women  too ;  fair  Cassia's  tears  are  free. 
And  dark  Boncella's,  for  they  know — 'tis  he. 

The  sad  procession  new  still  nearer  moves. 
An  open  space  is  reached  amidst  the  groves. 
The  moon  all  stately  still  its  full  light  sheds 
Upon  the  plumed    and    glittering    steel-capped 

heads, 
The  lowered  shields  all  battered  and  the  spears, 
The  faces,  arms  and  armor  red — and  tears ; 
The  last  which  scarce  are  seen,  for  woe  so  deep 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  243 

Lies  in  the  heart,  and  is  too  great  to  weep. 
The  chariot,  gold  and  silver  plated  o  er, 
\  grew<^ome  shroud  its  awful  burden  wore. 
The  white  haired  steeds,  how    nobly    slow    are 

they ! 
Their  honored  dead  a  peaceful  nae  to  pay. 
The  kind  and  kingly  Festus ;  artist-chief , 
Once  great  in  joy  but  greater  now  m  grief ; 
Who  made  his  castle  and  its  grounds  a  poem, 
For  beauty,  love  and  mirth  a  sovereign  home; 
Bade  all  of  carnal's  best  assemble  here,^ 
Enriched  the  poor  and  dried  the  widow  s  tear. 
How  grand  the  moon  is  with  its  falling  hgnt, 
So  soft,  so  sombre  on  this  solemn  sight, 
Slow-moving  o'er  the  lawn  with  measured  tread ; 
A  touching  tribute  to  their  hero  dead. 

And  what  in  yonder  darkness  lurking  on. 
Of  ghastly  face,  and  robes  that  sweep  the  lawn, 
Deep  in  the  forest  its  grim  form  to  hide. 
With  one  big  panther  creeping  at  its  side . 
O  what  is  it  could  haunt  this  mournful  train ; 
Why  does  it  follow,  what  has  it  to  gam ! 

0  shade!  O  death!   stand    back,    thou    spectre 

drear,  ^    ,        ,  1 

Thou  canst  not  have  what  God  and  man  revere. 
"Stop,  Festus,  stop!"   Twas  Cassia  thus  ad- 
dressed, •  1      • 
As   from  the  trees  she    came    with    quickening 

breast;  •     1     r  • 

Before  the  chieftain  stood  divinely  tair 
In  Love's  own  light,  of  angel  form  and  air. 
"Sweet    princess  of  the  sovereign    house    ot 
Heaven, 

1  to  thy  father  have  a  promise  given ; 


244  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Which  is,  when  our  brave  dead  is  tombed  secure, 
I  shall  restore  to  him  his  Cassia  pure; 
So  let  us  pass,  our  loved  one  to  his  urn. 
And  be  prepared  to  go  when  I  return." 

She  raised  her  jeweled  arm  and  pointing  said: 
"1  go  not  while  here  sleeps  your  honored  dead; 
In  death  there  shall  not  tarry  one  so  brave. 
The  Love  that  rescued  me  shall  Alideon  save." 

Lord  Festus  turning  spoke  (his  hands  above) : 
"Love's  angel  speaks — pray,  let  us  bow  to  Love." 
Then,  on  the  foot  and  knee,  around  the  shroud. 
They  in  respect  to  her  bow  to  her  God ; 
An  she,  so  beauteous  in  the  moon's  full  ray, 
Steps  softly  up  and  draws  the  shroud  away. 

The  hero,  there  by  loving  comrades  laid, 
So  strong  that  e'en  in  death  seemed  not  afraid : 
With  lips  still  closed  with  that  determined  seal 
That  when  in  life  made  all  his  bravery  feel; 
With  heavy  brow  and  chin  and  featured  nose. 
As  carved  from  marble  stained,  in  firm  repose; 
His  head  upon  his  battered  shield  at  rest. 
And  with  his  bare  arms  folded  on  his  breast. 

And  then  that  fairest  and  divinest  maid, 
Who  ever  foot  w^ithin  these  borders  laid, 
Looked  up  a  moment  as  to  kiss  the  light. 
That  spread  such  grandeur   o'er    this    heavenly 

sight ; 
Then  slowly  spoke  as  lower  fell  her  head ; 
*'Speak,  Mideon,  speak — Love's  champion  is  not 

dead — 
Love  has  not  thee  forgotten — ope  thine  eyes — 
The  moon  is  waiting,  Mideon — come,  rise." 

A  shade  of  life  lent  color  to  his  face, 
His  arms  relaxed  their  cold  and  stiff  embrace, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  245 

His  lips  unloosened  as  his  bosom  heaved, — 
And  then  his  eyes  the  light  of  heaven  received. 
Restored  to  life  he  silent  lay  a  spell, 
Soon  turned  his  head — his  eyes  on  Cassia  fell. 

She  smiled  and  kneeling  spake :  **Thou  knowest 
me. 
Be  not  perplexed ;  'tis  Cassia  whom  you  see ; 
Your  captive  here  at  Excess  since  the  morn. 
You  fell,  but  now — but  now  are  newly  born. 
Lord  Festus  and  his  men  in  grief  are  near ; 
Come,  take  my  hand,  arise  and  give  them  cheer." 

With  tender  touch  he  clasped    the    proffered 
hand, 
And  spake — in  voice  devoid  its  old  command, 
That  made  men  tremble  and  obey  his  will ; — 
These  accents  soft  arose  while  all  was  still: 
''O  princess,  how  could  you  thus  favor  one 
So  wicked  as  the  nether's  chiefest  son, 
At  arms  against  your  father  till  the  end ; — 
My  thanks,  good  Cassia,  but  why  me  befriend?'* 

"Ah,  never  mind.  Chief  Mideon ;  only  know 
Love  pays  all  debts  in  full.     Come,  let  us  go; 
Your  friends  expression  to  their  joy  would  give. 
For  they  have  heard  your  voice  and  know  you 
live." 

Lord  Festus,  past  repression's  power,  appears, 
Falls  at  his  general's  side  and  bursts  in  tears. 
Clasps   tight   within   his   own   the   blood-stained 

hand 
That   held   the   white  one,   shakes   with    feeling 

grand, 
Says:  'This  is  speechless  joy;  I  can  not  speak," 
Draws  Cassia  near  and  kisses  her  moist  cheek, 
Encloses  Mideon  in  his  arms,  and  then 


246  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Assists  him  rise,  to  mingle  with  the  men. 

These  closed  around  the  chief  and  filled  the 
night 
With  cheers  that  spoke  their  souls'  supreme  de- 
light; 
While  he  stood  silent  as  in  former  days, 
When  victory  warmed  their  hearts  to  maddening 

praise, 
But  unlike  then,  on  all  bestowed  a  smile, — 
As  t'ward  the  princess  stretched   his  arms  the 

while. 
And  this  was  signal  for  a  loud  applause, 
In  praise  of  her  and  her  triumphant  cause. 

Boncella  springs  to  Festus'  side ;  and  there 
They  stand,  the  chief  atween  the  dark  and  fair, 
His  arms  around  them  in  his  cordial  way — 
The  host  of  Excess,  young  in  heart  but  gray. 

And  when  congratulations  were  at  end, 
When  praises  did  no  more  the  heavens  ascend, 
When  all  was  quiet,  Mideon  bid  adieu 
To  those  around  and  t'ward  the  three  withdrew ; 
W^as  met  by  Festus  with  these  words :  "Sir  chief, 
The  princess  has  to  joy  transformed  our  grief; 
And  you,  retiring  as  you  ever  were. 
At  this  great  hour  would  be  alone  with  her; 
And  'tis  but  natural  you  should  wish  it  so, 
To  speak  your  soul  in  secret,  hence  we  go. 
Come,  comrades,  come  Boncella,  let  us  feast! 
Good  Cassia,  sweet  adieu,  a  time  at  least." 

They  to  the  castle  go,  to  leave  alone 
The  two  beside  the  chariot,  mute  as  stone.  ^ 
Thus  but  a  moment  when  the  chieftain  spoke — 
As  from  the  car  he  drew  his  purple  cloak, 
Enveloped  well  his  body,  and  unbound 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  247 

His  armor  that  went  clanking  to  the  ground: 
''These  signs  of  war  must  now  me  ill  become, 
Defeated,  killed  afield  and  raised  at  home — 
Both  by  the  Power  I  tried  to  overthrow ; 
I  feel  myself  a  coward  base  and  low." 

"O,  that  is  nothing;  many  do  the  same, 
And  even  worse — on  Mideon  rests  no  shame. 
He  to  the  last  an  honest  battle  gave; 
A  coward  never!  Mideon  still  is  brave. 
But  let  us  shift  the  converse:  where  and  how, 
Sir  chieftain,  is  your  brother  Villard  now?" 
*'0,  he  was  centered  in  the  last  advance. 
Did  splendid  work  with    both    the    sword    and 

lance ; 
Was  at  my  side  and  fighting  when  I  fell. 
But  was  not  wounded,  as  I  know  full  well. 
This  day  has  changed  him  much,  as  you  shall 

see; 
He  proved  himself  a  man  of  high  degree. 
But  for  his  treason  to  your  noble  State, 
The  day's  achievements  would  have  made  him 
great." 
"To  hear  such  praise  from  Mideon  gives  de- 
light; 
O,  how  you  scolded  him  before  the  fight! 
My  sympathy  was  moved,  but  yet  I  knew 
He  well  deserved  the  shafts  received  from  you. 
But  he  has  fought  beside  his  brother,  and 
That  treason  shall  no  more  against  him  stand. 
I  know  that  father  bears  no  man  an  ill, 
And  I — I  did  in  hell  my  mission  fill ; 
I  was  abducted  here,  but  have  enjoyed 
These  beauteous  grounds  and  well  my  time  em- 
ployed. 


248  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And,  Mideon,  (here  she  stopped  and  scanned  the 

grove, 
Touched  hght  his  arm)  dost  thou  Boncella  love?" 

That  old-time  fire  flashed  from  the  chieftain's 
eye. 
But  tarried  not  for  smiles  soon  passed  it  by; 
And  thus  he  spake :  ''Boncella  love  ?  why  no  ; 
Why  ask  me,  Cassia?  has  she  told  you  so?" 

The  night  bird  carols.    Cassia  thus  replies : 
''Nay ;  but  she  loves — I  saw  it  in  her  eyes ; 
And  grew  inquisitive  the  truth  to  learn, 
Whether  or  no  thou  didst  that  love  return. 
I  always  strive,  O  chief,  to  do  the  right, 
In  sight  of  man  and  in  the  Master's  sight  ; 
Had  you  made  answer  "yes"  I  should  have  gone 
And  sent  Boncella — and  remained  withdrawn." 

"O,  Cassia,  fairest  Cassia,  I  would  speak! 
My  heart  is  mighty  but  my  tongue  is  weak; 
Unskilled  in  tender  words  of  peaceful  man; — 
Yet  I  shall  speak,  and  kindly  as  I  can. 
This  morning  ere  the  sun  removed  the  night, 
This  morning  ere  the  day's  disastrous  fight, 
This  morning  when  I  dashed  to  Cassia's  side 
And  raised  her  up,  and  stilled  the  carnal  tide; 
When  those  great  eyes  for  pity  looked  to  me. 
And  begged  a  man's  protection — loved  I  thee. 
And  none  but  thee,  remember,  Cassia,  none. 
In  those  blue  eyes  I  saw  the  rising  sun ; 
Then  for  the  first  time  did  my  feelings  move — 
Boncella  was  my  envoy,  not  my  love. 
And  all  the  day,  this  bitter  day  afield. 
My  mind  its  claim  on  Cassia  would  not  yield; 
The  fiercest  battle  failed  to  blot  it  out; 
Within  me  tarried  still  that  face  devout, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  249 

Those   pleading  eyes,   those   hands   in   mine   by 
choice, 

That  troubled  breast  and  soft-toned  lyric  voice. 

All  these  in  memory  lingered  till  I  fell, 

To  fight  no  more,  to  close  my  eyes  on  hell. 

And  then  the  resurrection  here  to-night, 

To  meet  you  face  to  face  in  Love's  own  light. 

My  Cassia,  Cassia  mine !  I  fain  would  call ; 

For  such  a  princess  would  surrender  all. 

But  I  have  nothing  now,  my  power  has  fled. 

A  pauper  late  delivered  from  the  dead, 

I  stand  before  you  here;  for  peace  I  stand, 

To  Cassia  and  her  Empire  give  my  hand." 

He  said,  and  holding  out  his  arm,  was  still : 
To  humbly  wait  upon  the  princess'  will; 

Her    answer,    as    he    scanned    those     features 

through, 
And  saw  a  heart  that  to  the  word  was  true. 

Her  hand  she  placed  in  his  and  thus  replied; 
*T  need  no  longer  now^  my  feelings  hide. 
O,  bravest  chieftain,  what  my  heart  would  tell 
I  speak  in  full,  for  thou  hast  spoken  well. 
In  years  agone,  when  but  a  little  maid. 
The  name  of  Alideon  fear  within  me  laid: 
That  awful  chief  of  hell,  who  scoured  the  land, 
Shot  terror  to  the  heart  and  stilled  the  hand ; 
Against  my  Empire  warred  and  every  clan ; 
A  demon,  worse  than  demon,  was  this  man. 
But  as  I  grew,  and  not  so  long  ago, 
I  changed  my  mind  about  this  awful  foe. 
My  father,  as  was  ever  Clement's  way. 
Unbiased  tribute  did  to  Mideon  pay ; — 
Or  friend  or  foe,  to  him  it  matters  not. 
He  loves  the  brave  in  arms  and  brave  in  thought. 


250  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

And  lives  there  daughter  worthy  that  fair  name 
Who  would  a  noble  father's  views  disclaim? 
I  love  him,  so  wdien  he  your  praises  sung, 
Great  Mideon's  name  no  more  my  bosom  wrung. 
He  grew  a  favorite,  and  I  oft  would  ask 
The  scouts  returning  from  their  trying  task : 
*How  goes  it  in  the  nether  world?  and  where 
Is  Mideon?  did  he  this  day's  battle  share?' 
So  passed  the  time  until  Boncella  came, 
And  set  the  whole  of  planet  mind  aflame. 
My  journey  here — the  sage  Rodolphus'  deed — 
That  priestly  coward  of  a  hateful  creed — 
That  hideous  Stravo  with  his  vulgar  smile — 
Me  giv'n  in  name  of  god  to  practice  vile — 
A  woman  captive  in  an  Israel  land — 
That  heinous  act  of  one  who  would  command! 
That  lull,  that  clatter  and  that  glittering  crest — 
That  arm  which  raised  me  to  a  soldier's  breast — • 
That  angry  voice  which  to  mine  ear  was  kind: 
T  stand  the  chieftain  of  the  carnal  mind!' 
This  was  the  man  I  never  saw  before, 
But  whom  admired  because  of  feats  in  war. 
This  was  our  introduction,  and  'twas  w^ell ; — 
The  greatest  men  sometimes  are  found  in  hell. 
I  love  thee,  Mideon,  love  as  w^oman  can. 
In  every  way,  for  thou  art  all  a  man : 
In  every  thought  and  deed,  in  soul  and  heart. 
My  love  is  thine,  and  may  we  never  part. 
May  that  strong  arm  attend  my  full  career. 
May  Cassia  always  be  to  Mideon  dear. 
May  peace  surround  us  and  our  souls  entwine. 
With  Truth  my  witness,  Mideon,  I — am  thine." 

O,  stars!  Observing  stars,  a  serenade! 
Fly  thou  the  heavenly  realms  in  joy  arrayed, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  251 

Attack  those  lazy  clouds  and  make  them  haste, 
Entwine  within  the  moon's  long  tresses  chaste ; 
Creep  to  her  side  and  kiss  her  silvery  cheek, 
With  lingering  kisses  that  a  heart  bespeak ; 
Tear  through  the  skies  with  tales  of  dripping  fire, 
Transcend  the  elements  and  journey  higher; 
Salute  yon  sleeping  mountain  with  a  song, 
Sung  by  the  wind  as  while  ye  shoot  along ; 
Make  merry  thou  the  desert  drenched  with  blood, 
Plunge  in  the  sea  and  wash  it  with  its  flood ; 
Play  loud  a  symphony  on  strings  that  live, 
That  breathe,  that   feel  and  their  whole  being 

give, 
Explode  in  grandeur,  thunder  to  the  goal, 
March  up  triumphant  and  demand  the  soul! 
Become  inspired!  for  there  two  lovers  stand; 
No  theme  is  greater  than  affection  grand! 
Tear  down  the  mountains,    crack    the    heavens 

above, 
IVIake  planets  tremble !  for  the  theme  is  love ; 
Heroic  love,  commanding  and  sublime, 
Whose  heart  and  actions  blend  in  perfect  time, 
Beat  with  an  impulse  stronger  than  the  sea. 
And  move  with  universal  constancy! 

Hush— what    is    that!    a    far-off    thundering 
sound. 
That  stills  the  night  and  trembling  makes  the 

ground ; 
Approaches  Excess  o'er  the  desert  waste, 
Nearer  and  louder  as  the  moments  haste. 
The  shouts  of  vicious  men,  the  clash  of  arms, 
The  shrieks  of  pain,  and  battle's  death  alarms; 
Now  spreading  o'er  the  mighty  desert  wide. 
Where  madmen  rampant  fight  on  every  side; 


252  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Without  a  general  and  without  command, 
Each  for  himself  in  battle  hand  to  hand. 

'Tis  hell's  rebellion,  conquered  hell  at  war, 
By  Heaven  defeated  shedding  its  own  gore; 
Without  a  Mideon  feared  to  lead  them  on, 
Striking  each  other  in  cold  murder  down. 

From  all  directions  come  they  to  the  fight, 
Each  man  proclaiming  his  conduct  was  right, 
All  others  wrong,  this  fatal  day  aheld, 
And  backing  up  his  views  with  arms  and  shield; 
Killing  each  other  out  of  pure  chagrin ; — 
When  virtue  triumphs,  sin  will  battle  sin. 
Its  rule  is  wicked,  hence  when  left  alone 
That  wickedness  usurps  its  very  throne, 
Hurls  down  its  wrath,  that  nothing  can  subdue. 
Such  is  the  sequel  we  shall  now  review. 

Upon  the  desert  where  Chief  Mideon  fell. 
Are  centered  most  the  principals  of  hell. 
Like  angry  hornets  when  mankind  molest. 
Are  upward  fifty  chieftains  breast  to  breast, 
In  hand  to  hand  encounter,  while  around 
And  strung  between  are  battling  nations  found. 
Foul  curses  fill  the  night,  and  fatal  shrieks; 
While  here  and  there  a  wretch  for  mercy  speaks, 
Receives  instead  a  weapon  in  the  throat, 
Crammed  to  the  stomach  with  a  drowning  note. 
Here  one  would  bragging  act  the  general's  part; 
Those   thus   informed   plunge    javelins    to    his 

heart. 
There  one  would  plead  his  cause  as  only  best ; 
A  dagger  zig-zag  journeys  through  his  breast. 
A  wealthy  chief  would  yield  his  power  again; 
A  stone  him  levels  with  the  six-foot  men. 
Another  would  religion  bring  in  use; 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  253 

A  sword  his  body  from  its  head  cuts  loose. 
Another  calls  for  help  upon  a  friend ; 
That  noble  person  clubs  him  to  his  end. 
One  upward  looks,  a  fearful  prayer  bemoans ; 
An  axe  his  head  sends  through  the  collar-bones. 
One,  when   surrounded,    shrieks :    "A    martyr's 

death!" 
A  stone  extracts  his  teeth  and  stops  his  breath. 
And  thousands  thus  in  madness,  fighting  die; 
An  awful  contrast  with  the  peaceful  sky: 
Its  moon  and  stars  and  clouds  of  various  hue, 
In  beauty  laid  abreast  the  canvas  blue. 

A  chariot  up-side-down,  devoid  of  horse. 
And  stripped  of  wheels  lies  in  the  battle's  course. 
It  moves  a  trifle  and  attention  draws. 
Chief  Scowlard  rushes  forth  to  learn  the  cause 
(The   chief  of   heterodox — Illusion   Land), 
Removes  the  chariot  with  an  angry  hand — 
Beholds  there  hidden,  shaking  like  a  leaf, 
The  sage  Rodolphus,  carnal's  council  chief. 

*'Ye     pusillanimous     blackguard!"     Scowlard 
roars, 
"Ye  breeder  of  this  multitude  of  wars, 
Ye  slave  to  hell,  to  these  base-devils  sold, 
Ye  sycophant  of  pandemonium  gold. 
Ye  priest  satanic  both  in  word  and  deed, 
Who   dares   profess   and    feigns   to   preach   my 

creed — 
The  word  of  god,  the  mighty  god  of  fear, 
Who  damns  to  brimstone  those  who  won't  revere, 
Who  bow  not  down  to  him,  all  others  curse. 
Nor  know  him  king  of  this  flat  universe; 
Thou  coward,  reptile  in  the  eyes  of  god, 
In  his  just  name  I  damn  thee  to  the  crowd!** 


254  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

This    speech    delivered,  Scowlard    grabs    the 
priest ; 
The  madmen  rush  and  on  his  body  feast. 
He  whines,  attempts  to  pray  and  shrieks  with 

pain, 
As  while  he  drops  in  pieces  on  the  plain. 
The  knife  removes  his  ears,  each  with  a  jerk, 
Then  to  his  fingers  shifts  its  pruning  work; 
Rips  off  his  scalp  and  gouges  out  his  eyes, 
Unmouths  his  tongue  to  stop  its  plaintive  cries; 
Dissects  his  nose,  removes  his  bearded  chin, 
And  into  ribbons  cuts  his  clammy  skin. 
His  trembling  arms  four  savage  monsters  take, 
To  wrench  them  till  they  from  the  sockets  break ; 
Four  clutch  his  legs  and  pull  the  joints  apart; — 
And  then  a  dagger  gouges  out  his  heart. 

Thus  dies  the  father  of  united  hell. 
Against  great  Heaven  at  war,  his  wrath  to  quell ; 
By  his  own  god  betrayed  and  trampled  down ; — 
Of  short  duration  is  the  sinner's  crown. 

Rodolphus  thus  removed,  a  savage  springs 
And     death     to     curse-pronouncing      Scowlard 

brings. 
"A  nobler  place  awaits  me  with  my  god !" 
He  said  and  cursing  fell  beneath  the  crowd. 

In  quick  succession  perish  many  a  chief: 
Polygamy  of  Jesus  begs  relief 
(The  brute- faced  Desert  from  his  women  fled), 
The  battle-axe  of  justice  strikes  him  dead. 
Adultery,  Corruption  and  the  Trusts, 
By  that  same  weapon  lick  the  fatal  dusts. 
The  chief  of  Lawful  Pirates  dies  of  fear. 
And  Anger's  head  drips  dangling  on  a  spear. 
Too  numerous  to  describe,  but  many  more 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  255 

Of  hell's  great  captains  shed  their  vital  gore; 

And  nation  after  nation  fall  away, 

The  price  of  sin,  the  full  account  to  pay. 

Thus  chaos  clogs  the  desert  everywhere: 
Tis  blood  and  terror  void  heroic  dare; 
Without  an  action  to  command  applause, 
Without  an  object  and  without  a  cause; 
The  time  for  summing  up — O  wretched  hour! 
The   pandemonium   justice   is   in   power. 

The  folk  at  Castle  Excess  hear  the  sound; 
Both  those  at  feast  within  and  those  around. 
The  host  and  his  had  scarcely  drunk  the  wine. 
That  pledged  a  lasting  health  to  Cassia's  line, 
When  rumbling  discord  told  of  violent  war. 
Lord  Festus'  tumbler  crashes  to  the  floor ! 
He  stands  at  once  erect  and  calls  his  men : 
''Defend  the  castle — we  must  fight  again — 
'Tis  hell  approaching — call  the  princess  in — 
No  blood  of  hers  must  flow  by  shafts  of  sin — 
I  promised  Clement  and  that  promise  stands — 
His  girl  is  safe  against  all  hell's  commands!" 

By  way  of  emphasis  he  struck  the  board, 
Then  donned  his  armor,  gripped  his   strongest 

sword, 
Strapped  firm  the  helm  upon  his  august  head. 
Stalked  from  the  hall  and  through  the  portal  led. 
His  ranks  >vere  thin  (three- fourths  the  day  had 

stilled), 
But  loyal  and  in  war's  profession  skilled; 
Who  loved  their  chief  alike  in  field  and  hall — 
Unselfish  Festus  with  a  heart  for  all. 

Close  to  the  castle,  in  the  foliaged  street, 
They  now  with  Mideon  and  the  princess  meet; 
Cassia  beside  the  chief  who  gently  leads, 


256  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Hitched  to  the  chariot,  his  beloved  steeds. 

His  face  is  contemplation  and  discord; 
He  shakes  with  passion,  clutches  fast  his  sword, 
Before  Lord  Festus  steps  and  orders:  "Halt! 
li  they  attack  they  hold  nie  to  some  fault, 
For  vengeance  come ;  therefore,  my  noble  friend, 
This  is  my  fight — I  shall  the  wall  defend!" 

"Nay,  Mideon,  'tis  not  your  affair  but  mine. 
The  board  is  waiting,  go  you  both  and  dine; 
Make  merry  now  at  Excess  while  ye  may, 
For  fear  me  much  it  falleth  ere  the  day. 
Make  merry  now  while  i  defend  the  wall. 
And  come  not  near,  not  even  should  I  fall. 
1  read  upon  your  face  a  promise  dear ; 
Fight  not  for  hell,  but  Heaven  and  her  revere. 
That  offer  to  defend  my  state  is  well, 
But  you  a  greater  duty  have  in  hell ; 
A  duty,  Mideon,  that  was  given  me, 
Which  I  forgot  amidst  this  hour  of  glee: 
Take  Cassia  back.    That  office  now  is  thine. 
I  must  remain  with   Excess  and  with  mine; 
For  see,  they  come ! — 'tis  better  now  you  stay 
(Here  guard  her  close,  from  every  harm  away). 
At  least  a  time,  but  should  they  overthrow, 
Break  through  their  ranks  with  all  dispatch  and 

go  J 

Speed  thou  to  Heaven  in  safety — then  I  fall — 
H  that  I  must — with  duty  done  t'ward  all!" 

This  speech  at  end  he  bade  them  both  adieu, 
And  with  his  men  marched  down  the  avenue ; 
Halted  inside  the  gate  now  locked  and  barred, 
Drew  up  the  bridge  and  chained  its  rnetal  hard ; 
Detailed  his  archery  to  duty  here, 
And  strung  the  rest  upon  the  rampart  near — 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  257 

To  man  the  monstrous  engines  flanked  along, 
Waiting  with  balls  of  oil  and  missiles  strong. 

The  mob  appears,  without  result  attacks, 
With  dreadful  slaughter  from  the  rampart  backs, 
But  not  until  the  moat  is  steeped  in  death ; 
Then  all  is  silence,  scarce  an  uttered  breath. 
Chief  Festus  stalks  the  wall  with  sword  in  hand, 
Inspects  his  engines  and  his  brave  command. 
Arranges  it  anew  with  much  concern, 
And  then  awaits  the  savage  mob's  return. 

The  first  attack  made  martial  Mideon  start, 
From  Cassia  break  and  run  a  space  apart, 
Look  down  the  avenue  with  deep  unrest, 
And    say,    *'How    would    I    love  that    mob    to 
breast!" 
But  Cassia  holds  him  back  and  whispers  these : 
**0  Mideon,  that  would  Festus  much  displease; 
His  only  wish  was  that  you  tarry  here, 
'Fight  not  for  hell,  but  Heaven  and  her  revere/  " 

"Well  spoken,  Cassia;  I  forgot  it  quite. 
I  stay  with  thee,  for  only  thee  to  fight. 
Now  go  within,  make  ready  to  depart; 
Sooner  or  later  we  for  Heaven  must  start. 
li  Festus  holds  his  own  we  shall  remain 
Till  peace  returns,  to  cross  the  nether  plain; 
li  not — my  noble  steeds  are  rested  well — 
The  ride  to  Heaven  shall  be  through  bloodiest 
hell!" 
Then  to  the  castle's  arsenal  he  went, 
Procured  what  arms  would  serve  his  firm  intent: 
A  hundred  javelins,  swords  and  armor  plate, 
And  all  else  needed  for  the  journey  great; 
Caparisoned  the  steeds  with  glittering  mail, 
Both  weapon-proof  and  light,  from  nose  to  tail; 


258  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Made  of  the  car  a  barricade  secure, 

And  tested  each  the  weapons  to  make  sure. 

Meantime,  the  princess  to  the  castle  sped, 
Sought  out  Boncella  lounging  on  her  bed, 
Surrounded  by  the  luxuries  of  gold — 
All  it  could  purchase  of  the  rare  and  old; 
The  smallest  detail  to  advantage  placed, 
In  happy  discord  and  in  perfect  taste. 

She  parts  the  silken  curtains  at  the  door. 
And  tip-toes  down  the  rug-laid  polished  floor. 
Boncella  smiles,  arises,  draws  her  near. 
And  sweetly  speaks  these  accents  soft  and  clear: 

''With  Excess  threatened,  with  all  hell  in  riot, 
Thine  eyes  the  question  asketh,  why  so  quiet? 
So  happy  seeming?  and  I  answer  thee. 
Full  peace,  full  pardon  has  been  given  me. 
Recalleth  thou  the  morning  scene  below. 
Around  the  board ;  Boncella  deep  in  woe  ? 
That  conscience-smitten    wretch    who    had    be- 
trayed 
The  noble  Cassia  to  these  realms  of  shade? 
Recalleth  then  the  pardon  for  my  deed. 
And  my  refusal,  till  through  service  freed? 
That  service.  Cassia,  now  I  feel  is  given. 
It  from  my  mind  an  awful  charge  has  driven. 
Thine  exile,  though  beginning  bad,  is  well: 
It  raised  a  chief,  the  greatest  in  all  hell ; 
It  raised  a  man,  the  bravest  in  the  land — 
It  raised  a  lover  to  thine  heart  and  hand. 
What  greater  love  than  this  was  ever  seen, 
What  wonder  that  my  soul  is  so  serene. 
What  service  could  my  labors  now  improve — 
Ye  came  in  bondage  but  return  in  love. 
My  heart,  my  blessings  go  with  thee  to-night, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  259 

Beyond  these  borders  to  the  realms  of  Light; 
And  each  fair  wind  that  journeys  to  the  south 
Shall  take  from  mc  a  kiss  for  Cassia's  mouth; 
Each  wind  that  whispers  as  it  bathes  thy  face 
Shall  tell  the  story  of  this  last  embrace." 

When  she  had  finished  Cassia  tried  to  speak, 
But  broke  in  tears  and  kissed  the  singer's  cheek, 
And  then  they  stood  in  silence  for  a  spell, 
As  from  the  desert  came  the  sounds  of  hell; 
The  clash  of  arms,  the  shrieks  as  missiles  fall 
Pointed  or  flaming  from  the  guarded  wall; 
That  told  the  castle  was  besieged  again, 
That  all  was  safe  with  Festus  and  his  men. 

At  length  the  princess  spoke :  "The  fight  is  on, 
The  time  is  nearing  when  we  must  be  gone ; 
The  chief  is  making  ready  for  the  ride — 
And  good  Boncella  travels  at  my  side. 
The  fairest  wdnd  could  never  take  her  place, 
Her  own  sweet  lips  shall  whispering  bathe  my 

face. 
The  winds,  the  blossoms  and  the  fruits  of  Heav- 
en 
Shall  be  for  all,  for  Love  to  all  is  given. 
With  Nature,  which  is  Heaven,  the  print  of  Love, 
We  there  shall  ever  raise  our  hands  above ; 
With  Nature,  undefiled  by  mannish  creeds. 
The  best,  the  oldest,  written  but  in  deeds; 
The  simplest  Book  to  comprehend  and  live, 
That  teaches  Love,  to  honor  and  to  give ; 
With  Nature  pure,  a  part  of  which  we  are — 
Although  the  race  that  blessed  privilege  mar, 
Sever  and  clash.   She  still  retains  the  Plan, 
And     proves     throughout    the    brotherhood    of 
man, — 


26o  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

The  universal  fellowship  of  Love; 
God's  perfect  image  holding  hands  above. 
With  Nature,  whose  religion  is  a  poem, 
My  dear  Boncella  soon  shall  make  her  home. ." 
Hark,   listen,   crash!    The    chieftain    Mideon 
calls : 
"Make   haste — the    fight    is    lost — the   rampart 

falls ! 
The   steeds   are   wild,   I   scarce   can   hold  them 

down ; 
The  mob  approaches — quick — we  must  be  gone  !'* 
They  don  their  robes  and  issue  from  the  door; 
Lie  low  to  cover  on  the  chariot  floor. 
The  chief  ascends  the  car  with  instant  bound ; 
The  word  is  given,    the    coursers    plough    the 

ground, 
Adown  the  avenue  with  maddening  speed, 
As  their  wild  eyes  upon  excitement  feed. 

The  mob,  still  fighting  with  itself,  appears 
Upon  the  street  as  Mideon's  party  nears. 
He  hurls  a  groaning  javelin  straight  ahead 
(It  strikes!  and  five  chief  rebels  fall — are  dead), 
And   then   with    thundering    voice    commands: 

"Make  way! 
*Tis  instant  death  to  those  who  disobey ! 
I  led  you   forth  to  unimpeached  defeat — 
You  know  me  now — stand  back  and  clear  the 

street!" 
The  saw — they  knew — the  single    man    they 
feared ; 
In  true  mob- fashion  straightway  disapp>eared, 
Though  they  would  gladly  gut  him  where  he 

stands — 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  261 

But  no ; — the  coward  backs  when  strength  com- 
mands. 

The  ride  continues.     From  the  castle's  gate 
Is  seen  another  mob  of  numbers  great. 
It  from  the  desert  t'ward  the  rampart  speeds. 
Far-seeing  Mideon  slackens  straight  the  steeds; 
Observes  the  mob,  the  whole  remaining  hell, 
Is  hard  beset  by  soldiers  generaled  well. 
A  moment  more,  they  turn  the  mob  around 
(Are  recognized),  and  t'ward  the  rampart  bound. 

The   chief   bends    down,    to    Cassia    whispers 
glad: 
"  'Tis  Heaven's  command  that  fights  these  devils 

mad ; 
'Tis  Clement  coming  for  his  bosom's  pride, 
With  old  Zuflf  stalking,  clanking  at  his  side ; 
With  three  commands,  his  famous  fighting  three, 
Love,  Strength  and  Zuff's  renowned  Stability. 
They  come,  are  here,  are  crossing  to  the  street. 
Arise !  a  father's  strong  embrace  to  meet." 

Straightway    the    princess    from    the    chariot 
stept. 
Rushed  to   her   father's    breast    and    trembling 

wept: 
The  tears  of  joy  when  joy  is  at  its  height, 
When  troubles  vanish  in  one  sweet  delight. 
And  Clement's  face  is  buried  in  her  hair, 
As  rapture  shakes  his  form  and  great  arms  bare ; 
As  Mideon  stands  majestic,  firm  and  tall, 
Within  the  chariot,  overlooking  all; 
As  Zufif,  his  mighty  arms  across  his  breast, 
With  dangling  battle-axe,  partakes  of  rest, — 
Close  to  the  general  and  his  daughter  stands,     -- 
As  while  behind  them  rank  the  three  commands. 


262  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

These  greetings  closed,    the    joyous    Clement 
sped 
To  Mideon,  wrung  his  hands  and  nobly  said : 
''Her  eyes  have  told  the  news  and  it  is  w^ell. 
My  son  in  Heaven  though  late  my  foe  in  hell. 
A  father's  blessing  full  accept  of  me, 
Had  I  made  choice  I  would  have  chosen  thee; 
But  Love  not  parent  must  such  things  decide, 
And  has  this  day  fulfilled  a  father's  pride; 
It  could  no  better  be — my  heart's  own  son — 
Far  more  than  victory  has  our  Empire  won. 
Thy  works  and  hers  the  while  she  tarried  here 
Shall  gather  moss  with  each  revolving  year ; 
Her  powers  of  goodness,  loveliness  and  peace 
Shall  match  thy  virtues  as  the  times  increase ; 
This  armored  car  shall  ever  prove  thy  gold; 
Always  on  guard,  the  Mideon  still  of  old. 
Come,  Cassia,  mount  the  car  thy  chief  beside; 
The  trip  to  Heaven  shall  be  a  peaceful  ride ; 
And  as  we  travel,  ho  ye,  trumpets,  sound : 
Farewell  forever  to  hell's  bloody  ground!" 

The  trumpets  straight  respond  both  loud  and 
clear, — 
Echo,  re-echo  long  their  notes  of  cheer. 
Float  o'er  the  desert  with  seraphic  grace. 
As  w^hile  in  line  each  hastens  to  his  place. 
First  Clement  mounted,  then  a  chariot  rough. 
Monstrous  and  groaning,  rides  the  mighty  Zufif; 
With  Mideon  and  his  party  next  in  line, 
And  then  the  trumpets  and  the  ranks  divine. 

Forward   they  move  t'ward   Heaven,   as   h'ell 
around 
In  rash  rebellion  meets  its  just  rebound; 
A  war  that  staggers,  pains,  and  turns  the  sight, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  263 

But  pandemonium  justice  still  is  right. 
Fainter  and  fainter  with  each  moment  grow 
The  clash  of  arms  and  shrieks  of  dying  woe; 
The  hate  of  ages  summing  up  its  gain, 
As  peaceful  moves  the  Love-victorious  train. 

A  horseman  soon  is  seen  to  maddening  ride, 
Within  the  saddle  swaying  side  to  side. 
As   though    from    wounds;   but   keeping   to    his 

horse, 
And  guiding  t'ward  the  Spirit  train  its  course ; 
Across  the  desert  ploughing  up  the  ground. 
Straight  to  Chief  Clement.     Then  these  words 

resound : 
"  'Tis  ended,  sir,  with  only  me  to  tell : 
Death  now  is  monarch  of  defeated  hell; 
Not  one  remains,  her  victory  is  complete. 
She  shouts  for  joy  with  carnal  at  her  feet." 
This  said  he  fell  exhausted  to  the  ground, 
But  Clement    with    these    words    restored    him 

sound : 
"Most    happy    news;    Sir    Villard,    thanks    to 

thee ; — ■ 
The  past  is  dead :  'arise,  and  follow  me !'  " 
The  train  proceeds.    And  darkness    fills    the 
night. 
And  stars  and  moon  are  lost  to  mortal  sight. 
A  shaft  of  fire  attacks  a  mountain  high. 
A  trembling,  crackling  thunder  rips  the  sky, 
Echoes,  re-echoes,  rumbling  far  away, — 
The  trumpet  loud  announcing  hell's  decay; 
The  trumpet  spreading  wide  the  call  of  war, 
The  last,  the  quickest  ever  waged  before. 
The  greatest  planet  mind  shall  ever  see, 
Mankind  returning  to  their  Nature  free; 


264  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Undying  in  the  flesh  as  stars  among,  « 

Forever  useful  and  forever  young. 

Another  shaft  beheads  the  mountain  hoar. 
A  milhon  fires,  a  million  sounds  of  war, 
A  million  lights  expanding  east  and  west, 
A  million  noises  in  the  planet's  breast. 
Another  crash!  and  carnal  looms  afire. 
The  headless  mountain  bursts  itself  with  ire; 
The  lava  from  whose  angry  bowels  explodes. 
And  takes  its  course  in  zig-zag  paths  and  roads ; 
Throughout  the  carnal  plains  where  Helomed 
Now  stands  amidst  his  kingdom  of  the  dead, 
The  monstrous  residue  of  vanished  hell. 
The  molten  lava  hastens  on  pell  mell. 
In  rivers,  creeks  and  becks,  defies  retreat, 
And  summons  Death  to  massacred  defeat; 
From  dust  to  dust,  destruction  absolute, 
As  through  the  heavens  great  shafts  of  lightning 

shoot, 

As  deafening  thunder  shrieks  and  groans  around, 

And  drowns  the  discords  rising  from  the  ground. 

The  plains,  for  miles  abreast  the  shades,  ignite. 

Stretch  out  their  hands  and  clutch  the  heavens  of 

night, 
Roar  loud  and  furious,  traveling  upward  high, — 
One  solid  fire  from  carnal  to  the  sky. 
The  ground  delivers  forth  its  shrieks  of  pain: 
It  trembles,  stops  for  breath,    then    cracks    the 

plain ; 
Explodes  with  hate,  its  venom  heavenward  hurls, 
Which  like  great  rockets  sputtering  shoots  and 

curls. 
These  pierce  the  clouds  with    tails    yet    in    the 

ground, 


The  Rebellion  of  Hell  265 

Reverse,  return,  exploding  at  each  bound ; 
And  seas  of  sparks  at  each  revolting  crash, 
Sputtering  soar  and  to  the  desert  dash. 

Twelve  of   the   greatest  mountains  reared   in 
hell, 
Maddened  by  its  late  vicious  war,  rebel; 
Join  with  the  battling  elements  in  arms, 
Increase  the  chaos  and  the  loud  alarms; 
Spread  terror  fresh  throughout  the  carnal  mind, 
Giving  back  lick  for  lick  what  it  designed ; 
The  twelve  great  mountains  changed  to  fire  and 

smoke ; 
The  pandemonium's  towering  master  stroke. 

First  of  the  shades  to  perish  were  the  worst. 
Those  of  the  blackest  sins  and  most  accurst; 
They   screeching,   fighting,   wiggling   sink   from 

view. 
In  ashes  fade,  to  carnal  growl  adieu. 
And  then  the  shades  religious,  tribute  pay, 
Beside  the  social  curses  fade  away. 
The  politic  corruptors  next  withdraw. 
Never  again  to  tamper  with  the  law. 
And  so  forth  through  the  whole  of  carnal's  kind, 
Depart  the  shades  forever  from  the  mind. 
The  last  to  go  (save  one)  was  Helomed, 
The  late  proud  ruler  of  the  kingdom  dead. 
He  shuts  his  eyes  as  blinded  by  the  light, 
Says,   "Spirit,    fare-thee-well,"  and    fades    from 
sight. 

The  last  of  all  to  answer  hell's  command 
Was  that  great  heart  and  ever  ready  hand; 
That  representative  of  all  that's  best 
In  carnal  mind ; — Lord  Festus  sinks  to  rest. 
He  rises  tall  amidst  the  brilliant  light, 


266  The  Rebellion  of  Hell 

Looks  t'ward  the  Spirit  train  and  says,  "Good 

night;" 
Holds  out  his  hand  and  smiHng  waves  adieu, 
Then  midst  the  flames  majestic  sinks  from  view. 
Straightway  the  planet's  battling  forces  cease, 
The  stars  of  Heaven  proclaim  a  lasting  peace; 
And  Nature  whispers  scarce  above  her  breath: 
The  last  of  hell  to  be  destroyed  is  death. 


THE  END. 


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A  Girl  and  the  Devil ! 


We  beg  to  announce  for  autumn  a  new  novel  from 
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LOVE  IN  THE  TROPICS 

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Stenographers 

By  Harriet  C.  Cullaton^) 
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Bv  Rosa  B.  Hirf. 
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The  chapter-captions  will  give  an  excellent  idea  of  the^ 
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Various  Therapeutic  Agents»] 

Influence  of  Mind. 

Extravagant  Emotions^  ,... 

Insomnia. 

Relaxation. 

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By  VIRGINIA  BEALE  LECKIE 

This  cicvcf  "Washington  girl  has  come  close  to 
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A  friend  lies  for— an  enemy  about — and  a  wife  with — you. 
If  your   grandfather   made  it   in   pigs   you   have   a   perfect 
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A  married  woman's  troubled  look  at  3  A.  M.  is  not  so  much 
due  to  worrying  "  if"  as  to  "  how"  he  will  come  home. 

The  majority  of  women  lay  the  first  misstep  to  Cupid  ;  some 
to  the  man;  but  it  is  a  fact,  if  open  to  criticism,  that  curiosity 
and  the  opportunity  are  often  to  blame; 

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THE  SINNER'S  FRIEND 

ByCol.  C.  G  Samuel 

New  (4th)  Edition  with  alterations  and 

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Postpaid  11.00 

ST.  JOHN  IN  PATMOS 

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A  NOVEL 

By   HaDLEY   S.    KiMBERLINa 

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Saltan  of  the  Modern  World 

By  E.  G.  Doyen. 

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Lost  in  the  Mammoth  Cave 

By  D.   Riley  Guernsey. 
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thought   of   a    party   of  brainy   men   and   women 
lost  in  the  Mammoth  Cave! 

A  prominent  reviewer  says:  ,      ,      1 

"This  ought  to  be  an  immensely  popular  book. 
There  are  no  idle  moments  from  cover  to  cover 
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Under  the  Darkness  of  the 
Night 

A    Tale  of   West  Indian  Insurrection. 

By  Ellen  Chazal  Chapeau. 
Cloth     i2mo.     Attractively   Produced. 
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The  scenes  of  this  stxy  are  laid  m  bte. 
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An  Bpic  Romance  of  llion,  Atlantis  and  AmarftCA 

By  HON.  JOSEPH  M.  BROWN 

With  48  Drawings  by  Hudson 

950  pp.  Postpaid  $1.70 


THE  TW©  FAMILIES 

a  Novel  by 

iRENE  GWENDOLIN  ZIZIQK 

and 

MRS.  aNxa  BaRsaRa  zizic/e 

$1.50  Postpaid 


THE  SINNER'S  FRIEND 

a  Beautiful  Reliflious  Poem 

BY 

e.  G.  SAMUEL 

3rd  Edition  $1.00  Illustrated 


fleROSS  THE  PLAINS 

AXD  OVER  THE  DIVIDE 

BY 
R71NI>21LL  H.  HEWITT 

A  Mule  Train  Journey  from  East  to  West  in  1862,  and 
Incidents  Connected  Therewith. 

With  About  80  Illustrations      $1.50  Postpaid 


Order  front 

BROADWAY  PUBLISHING  CO. 
835  Broadway  New  York 


r..iS£H«~c  sr.'-  ■  <■. .. 

demand  may  be  rZ.t'5'' ■?«  ^'^'i  div      I'  ',"<^reasing 


50w-7,'16 


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